Austrian singer-songwriter Marc Hess has released the new single Book of Life from the forthcoming album of the same name.
Hess has had many successful releases, including the debut solo album Because I’m Crazy (2014) and the single Mile By Mile (2019). His solo album was a semi-finalist in the United Kingdom Songwriting Contest in 2014.
The formally trained multi-talented musician and renowned music educator has had an equally multi-faceted career, including working as an MD, producer, and performer in several musicals, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, and the Austrian premiere of Rent.
The new single reveals, along with Hess’s writing, performing, and producing talents, his knack for creating lyrics that delve a little deeper than your average set of words. Book of Life integrates this approach along with country and rock sensibilities to create a persuasive and assured pop-rock style. A recurring intro guitar riff sets the tone, presenting a balanced amount of country and rock—until the verse arrives with its easy-going melodic fervour.
The arrangement resists taking us to the chorus until a couple of passes of the verse, a tactic that seems to work, creating anticipation and a subtle sense of drama. Another surprise is the breakdown verse so soon into the song, another strategy that pays off, with the intro guitar riff providing breathing space and satisfying differentiation of parts.
‘‘What is most potent about Book of Life is the lyric, which aims to explore the subject of chance, choice and striving for a sort of calm Zen-like acceptance of the world, the line, ‘Let patience be my guide’, indicative of this viewpoint.
The production caters to a country-rock design, with driving rhythms and a carefree manner in Hess’s voice, and not to mention the tasteful banjo lines that provide a warm texture without becoming overbearing.
What is most potent about Book of Life is the lyric, which aims to explore the subject of chance, choice and striving for a sort of calm Zen-like acceptance of the world, the line, ‘Let patience be my guide’, indicative of this viewpoint. Marc Hess’s latest release introduces his distinct artistic merging of styles to the world, a musical experience that will undoubtedly attract many new followers.
LISTEN TO MARC HESS HERE:
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