J Duran - “Keep It Real”
Photo by Kate Lamendola
Kentucky-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter J Duran arrives on our blog with “Keep It Real,” the opening track to his brand new LP, Introspect.
Absolutely no time is wasted in getting this one started, as “Keep It Real” immediately hits its listeners with a quick drum fill before bursting to life. Amidst an arrangement filled to its brim with shimmering guitars, churning swells of keys, and deep notes from a bass, some remarkably delivered falsetto “oooohs” have got us completely enchanted with this tune.
Duran’s vocal performance is a definite highlight within “Keep It Real,” washing across the production with a gloriously lo-fi and slightly overdriven delivery. The vibe is warmly akin to that of Foster The People, Cage the Elephant, and/ or early Tame Impala, carving its way through the realm of modern indie rock via the sharp blade of exquisite craftsmanship.
“Keep It Real” arrives just in time for summer weather, as it is the kind of track that begs to be blasted from the car stereo with all the windows down. It also serves as a wonderful first song to the album, bound to entice everyone to listen to the rest of Introspect, which is now available everywhere.
-HD