Rose Cousins believes in love…
Photo on front page by Lindsay Duncan.
Ahead of her new album, Conditions of Love, Vol. 1, Halifax, Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter Rose Cousins arrives on our blog with “I Believe in Love (and it’s very hard).”
A deliciously lo-fi beat gets this one started, supporting the weight of ringing piano chords and setting a distinct, upbeat mood for the track. Deep tones from a bass sporadically emerge, providing ample weight to the arrangement as Cousins begins her remarkable vocal performance.
Cousins possesses a voice that is very believable, cutting through the record with minimal modern production tactics. For this reason, her lyrics enter the ears with an authentic sense of ease and, even though we typically refrain from reviewing songs about love, the talent and craft on display here simply cannot be ignored.
As the song progresses, additional notes from the piano populate the track, as well as a distant synth pad that fills in the remaining spaces. Finger snaps add to the cheerful mood of the song, with a wonderfully dynamic break occurring at the midpoint, injecting the song with a good dose of aux vocals and dynamic variation.
Ultimately, Cousins has given us a song that is impossible to hear and not allow your soul to smile. Whether you’ve recently found love or have given up on it entirely, there is a melody here that is well worth three minutes and ten seconds of your undivided attention.