Fusing ’70s songwriting inspiration with modern psychedelia, “Keeping My Mind Quiet” is a hypnotic psych-pop success from Rory Ryan, an artist from Galway, Ireland. Per Ryan, the track “details an inner discussion of someone with a somewhat anxious mind who is trying to find a way to silence unpleasant thoughts.”
Retrospective vocals complement an earnest lyrical focus — “thinking of the things I should have done, thinking of the person I’ve become,” — amidst a hazy bass bounce and flickering synth-laden enthusiasm. The title-referencing hook leads into a soaring guitar line that excels, emphasizing the track’s strongly melodic hold and compelling yearning for peace and a greater sense of sanity.
Coming from Ryan’s forthcoming debut album, out later this year, “Keeping My Mind Quiet” was mixed by Sean Cook and mastered by Jason Mitchell.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of November 2022’ Spotify playlist.
