Review by: Justyn Brodsky
Catchy, crafty, and very soulful might be a few ways to describe Billy Roberts & The Rough Riders’ exercise in eclectic mixes of Rock and Pop with their new single, “Only One”, which is a track that’s on their anticipated new album, Greenbah.
With a very tender Beatles-era vibe, Billy Roberts brings a sound to the table that is very universal, fun-loving, uplifting, and can be booked as a live act just about anywhere. They’re not too loud and rowdy, but at the same time can bring the energy to the dance floor and will definitely have you humming along to the Chorus of this catchy single.
There’s a great interactive exchange between both the rhythm section, and the guitar/piano textures that compliment it from beginning to end. Roberts’ voice gives us an R.E.M. kind of feel, together with his vocal delivery and range. And also knows how to choose his melodies wisely with his syllable usage. So we have an impressive backbone with Roberts’ craft of lyricism, and the appropriate factors of talent he utilizes to make this song effective and hard to get out of your head.
The production value is very natural, well-rounded, and showcases the band’s unit as a whole without any post-production antics that could make or break this classic Pop-oriented take on Rock. In a way, “Only One” to me sounds like an upbeat ballad with a cruising tempo. And I can easily hear this song being played both softly as a classic ballad, and the upbeat version as it is. If I had to vote between the two methods, I’d say the up-tempo sensibility the band chose is in best interest for this song. It’s clever, fun, and has a relatable sound that almost any passionate Rock listener can enjoy.
Definitely give this song a listen for yourself. Either way, no matter how you dissect it, it’s something you’re going to genuinely enjoy. And will most likely entice you to check out more of Billy Roberts catalogue, as well as perhaps purchasing Greenbah upon its release. We encourage it highly.
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