Okay, I figured it out – with a little research (like, 30-seconds worth), I determined Margarita Shamrakov is the incredibly talented composer, instrumental performer, and producer of her latest track, “You Left Me All Alone (Joan of Arc).” And Theo? He’s responsible for those whispery, breathy vocals. Got it. And with that out of the way, I can offer more enlightened feedback. Ready?
I wasn’t sure what to expect – Margarita lists Pop, EDM, and Dance as some of her styles, so I was afraid we’d receive something mostly mechanical, perpetually repetitive, and bereft of the human heart. Well, I was wrong – the kind of wrong that makes me smile.
“You Left Me All Alone” starts with a deep, cavernous, and haunting piano – the kind of piano I love to hear. It creates the foundation and dependable entry point for Theo’s subtle, on-key, and seductively subdued vocals. And then the electronic percussion kicks in; the confidence in Theo’s voice climbs, and his now more discernible, rather pure timbre reminds me of a younger Michael Jackson.
What really moves me: The chorus features an energy uptick with some great harmonies, but I’m especially fond of the harmonizing in the second verse – the human voice seems to blend with more roboticized echoes of itself. It’s like the perfect wrapped-up mixture of human feeling and augmenting circuits attempting to mimic and magnify that original, less varnished expression.
And at about the two-minute mark, there’s a bridge – a percussive galloping upon which Theo’s vocals grow, double up, and lead us with expanded urgency to the final chorus (and a quick but somehow emotionally effective stop).
So, is it good? This is great, modern, piano-based, and danceable music that is MUCH more than a sampled-to-oblivion house track. Sure, you can simply move to this music, but it’s more than glorified percussion – it’s tangible feeling; it’s emotionally moving, and speaking straight from the heart. So…yes, it’s good. Quite good, in fact.
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BELOW: Listen to You Left Me All Alone (Joan of Arc), and check out Margarita Shamrakov on YouTube and Spotify. Please support Margarita Shamrakov by visiting her online and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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