It is no secret that we are huge fans of Soulganic, and their latest single, Pulling Me (Pushing Me), is another epic journey with innovative sonic design and a holistic, intentional nature. With its glistening ethereal synthscape that glimmers like a holographic sky, the opening immediately immerses us in a soundscape that feels vast and otherworldly. The soft but persistent entrance of shimmering guitar notes sets the scene for a delicate dance between atmosphere and rhythm. Then, almost imperceptibly, a subtle but steady beat begins to carry the listener deeper into Soulganic’s musical universe. It’s this kind of seamless, intentional production that shows the band’s mastery of their craft.
Pulling Me (Pushing Me) stands at the intersection of multiple genres, yet it refuses to settle into any one of them. The song feels familiar, echoing soulful house grooves, reggae rhythms, and P-Funk chaos, yet it is a completely new exploration. The melodic journey echoes the very emotional complexity of the subject it tackles: the thrilling highs and nuanced lows of new love. This track feels like the aural equivalent of a romance – enchanting and magical in the beginning but eventually revealing the real intricacies and dilemmas that come with it.
The genius of this track lies in its genre-blending, each transition representing a shift in the emotional narrative. It begins with that smooth, dreamy groove – a blissful sonic euphoria that mirrors the intoxicating feeling of falling in love. But as the song progresses, the story deepens. The introduction of reggae-inspired rhythms, reminiscent of The Police, brings with it a sense of questioning, of doubt creeping in. The gradual unveiling of a person’s true nature becomes more prominent as the beat subtly shifts, mirroring the emotional turbulence that comes with the vulnerability of a relationship.
The hook is particularly captivating. Repeated with a kind of hypnotic quality, it resonates like a mantra – its charm lying in its simplicity yet profound in its emotional weight. There’s a mesmerizing quality to the vocals, which glide between smooth soul and controlled emotional power. The range displayed by Anthony Rodriguez, lead vocalist and bassist, is nothing short of sublime. His voice drifts through the verses with ease and then punctuates the chorus with a rawness that draws you in.
And then, just as you think the song has shown all its cards, the finale surprises. With an unexpected switch-up, Soulganic introduces staccato claps, a reworked version of the hook, and vocals that hit with a Michael Jackson-esque intensity, complete with iconic “ahhh”s. This moment feels like a revelation – the culmination of the relationship’s rollercoaster journey, where clarity finally sets in. The transcendent breakdown that follows leaves us both fulfilled and yearning for more, with Soulganic skillfully pulling back just as we become fully immersed in the experience.
The brilliance of Pulling Me (Pushing Me) is its ability to encapsulate the emotional rollercoaster of love within its sonic framework. The song tells a story not just through its lyrics, but through its careful arrangement of sound and genre shifts. It’s not merely a love song; it’s a musical metaphor for the ups and downs, the enchantments and realizations, that accompany relationships. The reggae breakdown is the initial clash of reality and idealism, while the P-Funk chaos in the finale is the full-blown acknowledgment of the relationship’s complexities.
Soulganic’s evolution as a band is fully on display here, and with this track, they are signaling that their upcoming album, Phosphene, will be nothing short of a genre-defying masterpiece. Pulling Me (Pushing Me) hints at a collection that will traverse even more musical landscapes, offering listeners both familiar comfort and thrilling new horizons. The blend of soul, funk, and alternative genres is done so effortlessly, but what truly stands out is the honesty – the intentional lyricism that speaks directly to us.
As a prelude to Phosphene, this single sets an incredibly high bar. For fans of D’Angelo, Sault, The Police, and Jamiroquai, Soulganic continues to prove that they are not only torchbearers of these influences but innovators in their own right. With Pulling Me (Pushing Me), Soulganic create an elegant, celestial sonic tapestry that is as expansive as it is intimate – a perfect reflection of love’s unpredictable nature. This track, with its subtle grace and powerful charisma, leaves us eagerly awaiting what comes next.