Arthur Rivers is more than a solo musician. The indie/folk singer is a strong-willed traveler who carries his stories wherever he goes. If you take a dive into his lyrical storytelling, you’ll quickly learn that he’s a companion of the world and the struggles we all endure. What Arthur’s secret? Take a few minutes to wrap your mind around his song, “Not Anymore” to experience it firsthand.
One of the most notable characteristics of his music is his traditional storytelling style. Although he dabbles in electronic music, he still uses time-honored lyrical patterns and production techniques to help portray the thematic elements in every song. His music is very “human”. The raw percussive elements (shaker, tambourine, hand drums, etc.) give his music a nice texture as well. Interestingly, he also spices it up with a unique form of modern blues. Instead of Gary Clark Jr., think Ray Lamontagne.
His use of blues solidifies the concept that blues is a genre for everyman.
In terms of instrumentation, his studio cache is diverse, and at times, a little on the wild side. Just listen to that lazy horn section recorded on “Not Anymore”. In general, his colorful usage of instruments is tasteful but offputting at the same time. Occasionally, certain recorded instruments almost seem random and/or distracting. Don’t get me wrong. It’s worth appreciating, but ear fatigue is a real possibility. His layered vocal tracks could also be the reason why the song seems a little busy. It’s a lot of sound to take in all at once, particularly during the second verse.
Lyrically, Arthur Rivers is a great storyteller. Vocally, his style might remind you of lo-fi. It’s very loose. In certain ways, Beck might come to mind. Sometimes artists need to be cautious with this vocal approach, especially when layering multiple voices onto one vocal track. He pulls off the delivery, but the thick layering is just a hair much. Of course, all of this depends on personal preference. If you’re a fan of this style, Arthur Rivers is a very capable producer. Despite the busy nature of the song, it sounds clean. It’s interesting how two extremes can sometimes work in the song’s favor.
Overall, Arthur Rivers is an experienced folk singer. He’s traveled the world and soaked up various cultures and lifestyles along the way. All of these life and travel experiences push his creativity and helps bring him another step closer to the hearts of fans worldwide.
Be sure to check out Arthur Rivers on www.arthurrivers.com . “Not Anymore” is the second track of his album, Beyond Sunsets and Rivers. Find it on Spotify!
