We’re sure you remember one of our favorite adult-contemporary songwriters Rob Alexander. He has, after all, made an appearance on 2020’s Top 10 Singles list with his track This Hollywood Road, which we found to be a “fun, upbeat number [where] both the stellar production and musicianship shine through in every measure.” Today, we’re taking a closer look at another single from his recent album Dream Out Loud. The track Yesterday’s News encapsulates everything we’ve come to love about a Rob Alexander track – the quality performances, the comprehensive songwriting, and the iconic style.
As in many previous releases, Alexander works with members of Elton John’s touring band when recording his music. This track is no exception, and once again we find this collection of included musicians – and the sonic tapestry that they create – to be a true high point of the work. Between the intricate key riffs, the textured percussion, the rich backing vocals – this group of performers have created something balanced, intentional, and smart in arrangement and implementation.
It’s impossible to talk about Rob Alexander’s work without talking about his vocal capabilities. He continues to warrant comparisons to Elton John in both vocal tone and style, but as we saw in Hollywood Road, Alexander maintains distinctions in his tone and execution that set him apart. There’s a bite to his inflection, and moments of grit and intensity that give him his individuality. And comparisons aside, his voice is pure power, projecting feeling and energy into each and every word with immense precision.
And as we’ve come to expect from the caliber of work that Alexander continues to create, these are far from the only highlights at play in this track. The infectious melody (the “carry on my wayward child with the blues” line is an absolute earworm), the compelling and relatable story about the ending of a romance, the absolutely danceable rhythm that radiates fun, almost tropical energy – combine all of these things together and you have a track with hit-single potential.
Rob Alexander has done it again. Yesterday’s News is another incredible single worthy of the highest acknowledgment. His timeless adult-pop style accentuates his own artistic strengths and allows the skills of those working with him in this track to shine almost as bright. Releases of this quality are rare in this day and age, and the fact that all of Alexander’s recent works live up to this high standard only makes his discography that much more impressive – and we hope there’s plenty more to come in the future.
—-
BELOW: Listen to Yesterday’s News by Rob Alexander and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Rob Alexander 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!
(Want to have your music reviewed on The Ark of Music? Click HERE.)
Follow, stream, download & connect with ROB ALEXANDER online:
