RO layers mood and texture on “stranger.” The minimal, organic beat, the ever so slightly echoing guitar, the vocals shifting smoothly between a rap style and more soul voicings sound like an update of trip hop with modern sensibilities and production methods. A touch of dub in the drums and quivering harmonic backdrops like electronic strings in the middle of the song shifts up the song’s already core appeal while not breaking style. It sounds like something new but with a resonance with something familiar and classic. The songwriting thus suits a song about the complexity of feeling inherent to feeling like one took a chance with one’s heart and being vulnerable with someone who feels promising only to end up feeling like you betrayed yourself by trusting your emotions with someone who doesn’t feel the same way and certainly not with a similar level of commitment. Yet knowing it’s not a failing, just something you have to let yourself feel without shame and let go of the hurt and let go of the associations that anchor you to the memory of disappointing and even painful experiences because with any luck your life is going to go on a lot longer than a temporary relationship. Fans of P.M. Dawn and early Massive Attack will find a lot to like in the emotional and sonic chords RO strikes on this song. Listen to “stranger” on Spotify and follow RO at the links provided.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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