Alex Crossland - “Parade”
New York City-based singer-songwriter Alex Crossland has just released the fantastic, upbeat and folksy sounds of “Parade.”
A quick count sets this tune in motion, promptly bursting to life with a full-band arrangement. The underbelly of “Parade” is marked by a steady, moderate beat, including a hefty kick drum that provides the song with an energetic pulse. As a chugging bass instills an unwavering foundation, electric piano fills our ears with a touch of melody. And amidst the subtle hints of a guitar’s feedback, Crossland earns our trust with his authentic, vintage-tinged craft.
Where Crossland truly excels, however, is in the vocal department, as his delivery conjures moments from a plethora of our long-time favorite artists, including Elliott Smith and Flyte– two of the yardsticks by which we measure many of the songs that roll through our stack of submissions. His voice remains confident and raw for the song’s duration, without any evidence of modern production tactics. In fact, if you told us he was singing this live in the next room, we would have no choice but to believe you.
Upon the arrival of the second verse, more notes from a guitar emerge, carefully widening the overall sound and adding slight flourishes of ear candy to ensure the listener’s engagement. There are also shimmering tones provided by an organ, which effectively round out the soundscape and create a delightful canvas for Crossland’s vocal performance.
For maximum pleasure, we suggest that you enjoy “Parade” through headphones in order to allow that soft, lower harmony to saturate your entire listening space. And be sure to stick around for the classic vibe injected into the arrangement via trumpet, which is the unexpected ribbon that wraps this remarkable gift of a tune.
-HD