Reneé Ruth first entered the recording studio in 2011 after leaving her career as a communications professor. She spent the ensuing decade gigging up and down the East Coast but eventually became tired of performing the covers material that her audiences wanted to hear. Her epiphany that “Nothing changes if nothing changes”, and a chance encounter with indie-pop producer, John McLucas, reignited her desire to create her own original music, and the two set to work on what would ultimately become the Reneé Ruth EP. This EP features a completely reimagined version of the Radiohead hit, Creep, as well as three original songs. We’ll be taking a look at one of her compositions from the EP, the beautiful, emphatic anthem, We Are One.
We Are One was initially written by Ruth many years back, but she decided that it was ripe for revival in light of the strange, pandemic-shaped times of the past years. The song is a passionate declaration of unity, and a plea to mankind to stand together despite our collective differences. McLucas’ arrangement bears a strong orchestral influence, with its use of strings and timpani-like drums to add tension and grandeur.
Ruth’s voice has an angelic quality as she sings the hopeful, buoyant lyric, and she demonstrates a tremendous vocal range throughout the different sections. McLucas strips the instrumentation right back for the final verse, with only a soft, melodic piano part accompanying Ruth’s vocal. Just when you think the song is about to retire gently, McLucas cues the drums and strings back in for one more, rousing chorus.
It is wonderful to see Ruth embracing her talent as a songwriter. We Are One is the perfect anthem for our time and her vocal delivery does such justice to its poignant lyrics. Her partnership with McLucas has proved a prosperous move, and it will be interesting to see how her sound continues to develop.
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BELOW: Listen to We Are One and connect with her website and social media platforms. Please support Reneé Ruth by visiting her online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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