We bring you the exclusive from Albuquerque-born artist, ArchiveX, whose debut single, Hard Times, is out next month.
Now based out of San Francisco, ArchiveX describes his sound as 'Soul-Ambient-Electro-Roots', and although we weren't sure what that meant exactly, it all becomes clear after the first listen: Hard Times is indeed soulful, ambient, and roots. It's a kind of piano-led waltz with a twist; originally released in 1961 by Ray Charles, ArchiveX has stamped his modern-day mark on proceedings, thanks to some hard hitting vocals and neat production techniques: some subtle audio processing has certainly helped give it that fresh feel.
In the original, Ray Charles created an ironic disconnect between the bluesy/gospel piano lines and dark lyrics; and this is ArchiveX successfully paying homage, while recasting its message for a fresh audience, perhaps for our own hard times.
Hard Times is released June 10th, and the debut album, Some Ungodly Hour, follows on July 29th.
In the accompanying video below (shot in London by Kamil Dymek), the song's message is honed to a sharp metaphorical point. Check it out for yourselves:
CLICK HERE to check out a four-track preview of the upcoming ArchiveX album