Having taken a 5-year break from writing music during which he nearly gave up altogether, New York-based singer-songwriter Reddmond Perone finally rediscovered his mojo, started writing songs again, and found himself back in the studio. ‘Tell Me’ is the opening track from his upcoming EP.
Opening with a simple rhythm guitar, crisp snare and a rounded kick, it’s a smooth, warm sound that has a satisfyingly retro feel. The chords, drum fills, and distinctive vocal fx evoke memories of John Lennon and the Beatles.
Mix in a bit of Karma Police by Radiohead, and you have a lush and silky sound that has a timelessly familiar quality.
‘Tell Me’ stands on its own, though, adding its own character and melodic ideas.
Reddmond says the song is about “the struggle to connect with others and with himself…it captures those late-night, restless moments of replaying conversations, wondering what went wrong, and questioning your own self-worth”.
A simple, repeating motif continues throughout the track, with the elements moving around it – including an all too rare whistling solo!
The production is workmanlike, with Reddmond’s vocal front and centre. The simple beat keeps time without getting in the way.
The melody is immediately catchy and feels optimistic as it rises and falls. There is absolutely no fat on this 3-minute slice of indie folk-pop.
Reddmond says ‘Tell Me’ is the best song he wrote this year, and I think it is the perfect teaser for his ‘comeback’ EP ‘Watching From Behind’, to be released on 14th November.
Written by Grubby
