Drawing us in with a compressed and organic guitar riff with background noise, Rob Roth opens Awol with subversion, before we experience clarity and an expansive soundscape with the situational lyrics, “Dry, horizontal, empty bottles, smoking mirrors, sweating tears…”
The opus evolves with a thought-provoking message and introspective depth to deliver a contemporary pop energy as Rob Roth shares his soul with us.
We are immediately in awe of Rob’s poetic prowess and luscious vocal timbre as he takes us on a journey with smart hooks and a charismatic nuance in his search for freedom and independence.
The sonic landscape and sound design demonstrates nothing short of instrumental mastery and pop perfection, with charming ebbs and flows and an overarching relatable context.
We learn that the track is designed to “resonate with anyone who has ever felt disillusioned by the corporate world.” The song successfully portrays “a journey of self-discovery, self-awareness, and ultimately, breaking free from the constraints of societal expectations”, which we appreciate as freedom enthusiasts!
Rob Roth cites influences including Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Goo Goo Dolls, Avicii, and Chainsmokers, which we can feel come through with Awol, although there is no doubt that the rising star is creating an authentic identity of his own.
Rob confesses that he aims to “evoke a wide range of emotions” through his songwriting, encompassing pain, hardship, healing, and love – and we cannot wait to hear more of what the New York native has to offer.
In the meantime, we have added Awol to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Rob Roth‘s wider discography, including Marathons, and For Me.
Header photo by Michelle Chan