Donovan Keith - “Too Late”
Photo by Nicola Gell
Midwestern-born, Austin-based singer-songwriter Donovan Keith is back on the blog with an energetic, nostalgic dose of auditory amusement: “Too Late.”
This track is a throwback to the sweet, creamy sounds of the 1950s, bringing listeners an earful of classic, analog production. A quick fill from the drum kit sets “Too Late” into motion, sending listeners down the sonic path of yesteryear, complete with a lo-fi guitar melody that is nothing short of a glorious ear-worm.
Fans of artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff and Chris Stapleton are going to find themselves right at home amidst Donovan Keith’s delightful vocal performance. “Too Late” is primarily delivered in a retro-tinged upper register that demands the attention of all who hear. Layers of auxiliary vocals fall into place along the way, completely nailing down the 1950s aesthetic.
“Too Late” is filled with numerous stops and starts, allowing the vocals to shine and bringing a divine ebb and flow to the arrangement. And if the textures of backing vocals do not leave you fully satiated, ear candy has been provided by a truly tasteful guitar solo that bursts with vintage flavor.
After multiple listens, our ears cannot detect a single element that has not been placed by actual musicians playing actual instruments, which is becoming quite rare these days. So if your heart longs for the magnificent sounds of yore, wrapped in a contemporary package, you really need to press that play button.
-HD