Jonny Pickett is based in Southern California, though has lived across the world — in Ireland, Spain, and China. Geographical and cultural experiences contributes to his sound, apparent on new track “Soong Mei-ling.” The track refers to the former First Lady of the Republic of China, who witnessed the country’s change from dynasty to republic to a totalitarian regime. Following the Communist takeover, Mei-ling and the Republic fled to Taiwan. Pickett traced this joruney, visting Mei-ling’s home in China, as well as her residence in Taiwain, concluding at her grave near New York City. Per Pickett, “Soong Mei-ling” relfects on those visits.
Th track’s lush, key-laden sound is joined by strings around the one-minute mark, as the wordless vocals form a graceful soundscape. “Soong Mei-ling” alternates seamlessly between moment of key-based pop and lush, symphonic expansion. The track succeeds melodically and in its retrospective theme, while emitting a timeless sound and message.
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“Soong Mei-ling” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of January 2020’ Spotify playlist.
