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Sam Blasucci x No Magic

"Inspired largely by Abba & Leonard Cohen’s ‘Book of Longing’, No Magic is one of the first songs written in this batch of songs and became a kind of anchor for this record. Even with all the troubling themes this song addresses lyrically, it still carries itself as an upbeat ear worm and is a feel good type of song. After the track was finished, it felt slightly hallow still, so we decided to add on a layer of slap back delay over the whole song and that really felt like it took it into its right place. It almost feels a bit Big Star with that extra bit of muddiness. Initially wasn’t planned as a single, but in the end it felt like a song that should have a special highlight." 

Sam Blasucci x Flower

While remaining quite elusive to genre or category, a few of Blasucci’s deepest influences can still be spotted throughout the musical and lyrical shape of his new album. New literary and musical discoveries seem to be constant for Sam, but shades of Leonard Cohen, Prince, and Bjork peak out behind this batch of songs as well as the writings of Ariana Reines, John O’Donohue, and Edgar Allen Poe.

On the newest single, "Flower," from the forthcoming LP Real Life Thing - Blasucci notes: "Inspired by the harmony of Italian-American vocal groups from the 70s as well as a Motown feel, Flower is one of the more existential songs on the album. There are shades of Marvin Gaye in its rhythm and Frankie Valli in its vocal arrangements. It was originally written in an entirely different rhythm and style, almost more of an oldies song, but it evolved over time and slowed itself down a bit to feel more laid back. It seemed more and more evident that slowness and space were important in this song so that all of its parts could fully stretch out. With the addition of Randal Fisher on tenor saxophone and Andres Renteria on Congas, it morphed into a fusion of soul, jazz, and pop."

For more info, check out Raven Sings The Blues.