London-based artist Rupert Cox consumes on his debut album Search Party, melding elements of folk, jazz, and dance with eclectic appeal. “I wanted the whole process to be guided by a commitment to vulnerability and authenticity, so those are probably the overarching themes,” Cox says.
“The Nowhere Dance” opens the release with an inviting vibrancy. Twinkling keys and a warming bass pulse guide a delightfully effervescent charm, with key-laden flourishes and emerging synth lines excelling in their emergence alongside the steady piano-based backbone. “Fig Tree” follows with a more contemplative piano tone, casting an autumnal spell with the gentle acoustical reflections and jazzy percussive lightness. The second half expands with glistening piano-forward expanses within a backing textural swell.
The album’s opening one-two punch showcases the project’s dynamic abilities, from the opener’s perky brightness to the lounge-friendly contemplation of “Fig Tree.” Multiple highlights are abound, beyond those. “Lament” plays steadily with a quaintly yearning folk appeal, traversing into the absorbing title track; this gem enamors with a melodic, confident vocal drive alongside ruminating bass, as ghostly dream-pop vocal spells invigorate at the one-minute turn. From the gentle jazz contemplation of “Remember This” to the peppy opening track, Search Party is a wonderfully diverse introduction from Rupert Cox.
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“The Nowhere Dance” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of November 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
