John Goldrust’s latest masterpiece, The One To Call, opens with a shimmering yet eerie soundscape – a complex blend of textured drums, subversive guitar riffs, and astral bells, creating an atmosphere thick with drama and intrigue. The track immediately submerges us into a moody, introspective world where the first line, “You never promised you would save me, you promised me nothing at all…” lingers like a haunting truth, setting the stage for a narrative that critiques the darkness of modern romantic love.
Goldrust’s fusion of dark rock elements, especially the way he wields his distorted guitars and haunting vocal melodies, creates a cerebral and cinematic atmosphere. The song channels an unsettling vibe, reminiscent of a Ryan Murphy TV show, where every note feels meticulously crafted to enhance the narrative of emotional turmoil and confusion. What’s particularly striking is the way the music unravels in waves of tension and release, mimicking the emotional rollercoaster of modern relationships.
The central theme of The One To Call revolves around the disillusionment with romantic love in the modern age – its commodification, rapidity, and lack of depth. Goldrust’s lyrics critique the contemporary dating landscape, asking whether love is even possible in a world that prioritizes fast connections and shallow interactions. The song speaks to the collapse of traditional courtship rituals, questioning if modern society’s dismantling of time-tested norms has prematurely aborted the natural blossoming of real, lasting love. It’s a stark, philosophical meditation on the emptiness of love in the age of instant gratification.
In this way, Goldrust captures the growing sense of disillusionment that pervades contemporary relationships, drawing a parallel between modern love and an industrialized process—where the authentic, emotionally rich experience of “falling in love” is rendered a rarity. His examination is both personal and universal, reflecting the emotional landscape of a generation caught between connection and isolation.
Musically, The One To Call stands out for its compelling ability to unbalance the listener. The vocal melody, inspired by Ozzy Osbourne, evokes a sense of eeriness and unpredictability, its delayed cycle adding an unsettling twist to the verses. There’s a deliberate distortion throughout, a sense of brokenness that mirrors the song’s themes of emotional fragmentation. The rhythm section, initially built on a programmed drum beat, gives way to live drums that replace the mechanical rhythm in the final stages of production, creating a sense of resolution, yet the mood remains decidedly unresolved.
Goldrust’s integration of bell details, reminiscent of the haunting musical pocket watch in A Few Dollars More, is a masterstroke. These eerie tones mingle with a synth pad, grounding the track with a sense of melancholic reflection. The combination of distorted guitars and delicate chimes creates a sonic tension, a war between the raw and the refined, which mirrors the song’s lyrical exploration of love’s fractured modern state.
Recorded in a summer house turned studio at the end of Goldrust’s garden, The One To Call reflects a deeply personal connection to the space in which it was created. It’s a solitary setting, one where collaborations happen in limited bursts, with the focus being solely on the art and emotion of the work. This space, imbued with Goldrust’s past musical efforts, offers a rare intimacy in the recording process, allowing for a direct, unfiltered expression of his vision.
The choice to use a programmed drum beat at the outset was a unique approach. It provided the track with a rhythmic complexity that wouldn’t have been possible with a typical click track, allowing the song to evolve organically. As the drums were replaced with live recordings later on, there’s a natural sense of progression in the song’s production, mirroring the theme of evolution – both in love and in the music itself.
Goldrust’s lyrics, as always, are his most defining feature. His ability to distill complex emotional truths into simple yet potent lines is exceptional. The song’s examination of modern relationships touches on something deeply existential: the shifting norms and the loss of emotional connection in a world that seems more concerned with speed than depth. It raises profound questions about the state of love today, asking not just whether we can find it, but whether it is even worth pursuing in a world so disconnected.
The influence of Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne is undeniable in the vocal lines, with Goldrust delivering a melody that strikes the perfect balance between darkness and vulnerability. This nod to heavy rock is further supported by echoes of The Cult’s immersive sound, with their influence evident in the song’s cinematic quality.
What makes The One To Call significant is its raw, cinematic intensity. Goldrust has created not just a song, but an emotional and philosophical statement about the trials of modern romance. With its unbalanced vocal melody, distorted guitar work, and the haunting contrast of bell chimes, the track stands as a testament to the complexities of human relationships, even as they seem to slip away. The song’s depth is profound, and it’s a release that perfectly captures the essence of a generation grappling with the decay of traditional love and connection.
John Goldrust’s journey as an artist is marked by a constant search for truth in his music. His work delves into the very heart of emotional struggle, and The One To Call is another poignant chapter in this exploration. With its dark rock vibes and a philosophical undertone, this release is one that leaves the listener contemplating long after the final chord fades. We have added the opus to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist!