Philadelphia, PA based artist Fitch Means (aka William Fitchett Means) has recently added to his discography with the release of EP 2am Drive. This is a follow up to his first EP, the 2019 release Declaration. 2am Drive shows a vulnerable side of this up and coming R&B artist, an insightful look into his personal trials and tribulations, and a silver lining during a difficult period in his life. Today, we’re taking a closer look at a track off of this EP, a single tiled Pretend.
Knowing that this song is on an EP that was born in dark days, Pretend seems to embody the spirit of that muse. Starting with the mournful, soft keys and delicate vocal riffs before opening up with the entrance of the first verse, the intensity is prevalent from the beginning. The track really digs deep in the chorus, with a powerful melody with pop sensibilities that makes it both accessible and modern in execution.
Mean’s voice is a real highlight of the track – he commands an impressive range with his soulful and smooth sound that is rife with emotion. His phrasing is unique, with a varied, rhythmic delivery of each phrase that keeps your ear tuned in to each and every word. All of these elements together lend a real authenticity to his lyrics, which paint a deep, complex picture of his struggles in an impressively concise manner. The lines are short, but their impact is felt. We particularly like the second verse:
“Space ain’t changing nothin
As a matter of fact it’s
Framing something
For who you were
And what you wanted
Pulled apart
Sliced my heart
No love”
Dynamic and powerful, with memorable melodies and a refreshingly genuine message for this genre; Pretend is an excellent showing of talent from Fitch Means. With only two EPs under his belt so far, we expect he has a long and prolific career is ahead of him, and we look forward to hearing more expressive and perceptive music from Means in the future. Currently, Fitch Means’ music is available on all of your favorite streaming platforms online, and we highly suggest all modern R&B fans take a listen – trust us, you’ll be glad you did.
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BELOW: Listen to Pretend and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Fitch Means by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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