An exploration of the self and ego — and a tendency for inner monologues and attaining personal peace — enthralls on “Keep Working,” a recent single from Soda Die, an artist based St. Petersburg, Florida. The project marks the solo debut for the artist, who has nearly two decades of collaborative experience throughout Florida in the indie-rock and post-punk veins.
Hazy guitar strums traverse into a twangy capriciousness, alongside vocals that let out: “Yeah, I’ve got stories, so many I could write for days.” Indulgences of the ego and feeling “on autopilot” intrigue into the an organ-touched enamoring during the proclaiming “hey! it’s me: the voice in your head,” with shades of The Pixies. The spoken-word vocal charisma and angular guitars in the verses compel into the more expanded hook, balancing debonair introspection and hooky charisma.
Soda Die elaborates further on the track:
Musically, it reflects my extensive background in alt-rock, indie and post-punk. Thematically, it is inspired by the insights I have gained through vipassana meditation and other intense disciplines of self-discovery. I wrote the music with a friend and the lyrics came out of a 10-day vipassana course. I think it reflects my continuing evolution as an artist and being.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2023’ Spotify playlist.
