How Great Were the Robins - “Soil”
From Italy, How Great Were the Robins has just released the gloriously vibrant indie folktronica track “Soil.”
“Soil” is a constantly shifting and evolving track that has a pleasing ebb and flow. Opening to slow, reflective, and cascading harmonic notes from an acoustic guitar, the track quickly finds its upbeat, melodic groove. Muted acoustic guitar notes begin to melodically weave, giving the track a mellow, kaleidoscopic-like vibe. Lower bass notes pulse elegantly whilst hand claps set a resolute cadence. As the drums enter, the song begins to sway majestically.
As we reach the dynamic breaks, “Soil” begins to sensitively evolve towards a more pronounced folktronica vibe. The groove remains tight as spacious synth textures subtly flare up, helping to build tension. As the crescendo hits, the main synth layers break gloriously in tones that are reminiscent of The Chemical Brothers‘ track “Pioneer Skies.” Just when you think “Soil” can give no more surprises, the track fades into chilled, meditative, ambient sounds. This is a bold move and underlines that How Great Were the Robins is a genuine musical artist in the truest sense.
Matching the highly dynamic nature of the music, the vocals have a lush phrasing that builds intensity. The performance is warm and expressive and coated in emotive tones. The lyrics explore themes of life’s constant changes, its cyclical rhythm, and the nature of impermanence loosely inspired by Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind.”
“Soil,” by How Great Were the Robins, is a really striking composition. It is experimental, dynamic, and full of surprises.