Los Angeles-based artist Ruto reveals a blend of mystique and infectiousness on the dazzling new single “Double Speak,” infusing synth-laden atmospherics amidst funk-friendly guitar lines. The solo project of multi-instrumentalist Oscar Bautista, Ruto began as a band in 2016, and now exists as a multi-collaboration solo endeavor.
“The song is about gaslighting, especially of oneself,” Bautista explains. “Whether it’s in our personal or professional lives I found myself convincing myself of things that didn’t benefit me. This song was an expression of that confusion and in a way it helped me let go of that negative habit.”
Twangy guitars and a debonair bass line drive into a brisker, funk-laden entrancement as the synth-y glow emerges. The mellow vocal beckoning, tonally, fits in the post-punk realm with its ability to deliver sincere emotion within a reserved tone, as brisk rhythms and moody guitars intertwine. “All I need is a little bit of truth,” marks a captivating chorus, differentiating strikingly from the verses’ more contemplative flow. “Double Speak” is a beguiling success from Ruto.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of August 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.