Setting the tone with a brooding, layered cello performance featuring legato motifs and staccato accents, Ho Jo Fro opens When Did You Knock? with cinematic allure as he shares situational and self-aware lyrics.
The opus expands with a high emotional quotient, poetic prowess and luscious harmonies as we are taken on a vulnerable and deeply human journey. There is an undeniable 1960s chamber-pop influence, and we connect with the raw authenticity that transmutes with the prose.
In essence, we learn that When Did You Knock? is about the breakdown of a once-close sibling relationship. It details the uncertainty that follows an emotional estrangement. We could imagine this playing poolside on the rooftop of Petit Ermitage in Los Angeles, where songs of this unique nature often find their home.
It would also be a good fit for a sync placement in a TV show like Nine Perfect Strangers, which often deals with themes like this. When Did You Knock? centres on concepts of distance, failed communication, and the hope of reconciliation.
Speaking on the compositional design of the song, Ho Jo Fro, also known as artist Paul Derringer, confesses, “I wanted the arrangement to feel emotionally exposed. No drums. No bass guitar. Just space, melody, cello, and the sound of people knocking, trying to reach each other.”
We love this innovative use of mimesis. Naturally, Paul Derringer provides the lead vocals and melodic keyboard arrangement, whilst Tim Ryan plays acoustic guitar and handled engineering, he also helped create the percussive knocking sounds. The incredible cello performance, including the sublime outro, is courtesy of Brianna Tam, and Kleidi Buroz contributes backing vocals.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added When Did You Knock? to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Ho Jo Fro, including Berserk, Ask Me, and Are You Squared?.