Indie folk artist Oliver Proudfoot is a British singer-songwriter known for his country infused sound. Giving us the As I Wait by My Windowside EP in 2018 and the single “Oregon Grey” just two years later, he is no newbie to the folk genre. More recently however, Proudfoot shared his newest single “Rosalita” and we’re impressed. Released in June, this heartfelt track will leave you feeling warm inside, but also maybe a little lonely.
“Rosalita” starts off with strong acoustics, immediately creating a dreamy foundation for Proudfoot’s incoming vocals. His guitar playing is unique and beautiful, leaving you in a hazy daydream. The only way I can describe it is like a soft, fuzzy blanket wrapped around you on a chilly night, creating a safe haven for listeners. With each heavy strum, you can feel the vibrations lulling you further into the embrace of the track’s twangy melody.
Soon enough, Proudfoot’s mellow vocals pour into the song, mixing with the thick acoustic, resulting in a blend of modern folk with a moody bluegrass sound. Similar to Proudfoot’s previously released music, “Rosalita” doesn’t really fit into any preexisting genres. Yes, it’s folk, but it’s also more country-sounding than that. This single takes unique elements from various styles of music and delicately combines them into one tune. It’s difficult to describe, it’s simply something you just need to experience for yourself.
Emotional and soulful, the intimate lyrics of “Rosalita” show the importance of moving on, but not without revealing the hardships that come along with that. From the dawn of time, as humans we have always craved connection. Being alone is nice, but nobody likes feeling lonely. Whether you want to admit it or not, the idea of doing life with no one by your side is absolutely terrifying, and Proudfoot has no problem admitting this.
Baby,
Won’t you be my Rosalita
To me, this song is about growth. It’s about realizing your worth and acting accordingly. However, what’s unique about “Rosalita” is that it’s real. Moving on is not a linear process, nor an easy one. Instead, it’s a journey that includes a lot of backtracking. This is something everyone can relate to in one way or another; wanting to be with someone but knowing it’s not in your best interest for whatever reason. Proudfoot confesses that it’d be nice to have someone around to do this whole “life” thing with, but living for yourself and your own happiness should be the first priority. It’s easy to look back on all the great aspects of a relationship and reminisce, but what’s harder is admitting the faults, and I feel like that’s what Proudfoot is trying to do here.
“Rosalita” is a soft acoustic track that would be the perfect accompaniment on an early-morning drive, or for one of those nighttime waterworks sessions. This song is versatile and can mold to whatever emotion you may be dealing with. The feelings this single brings forth are all too familiar, but it leaves you wanting more. Hopefully, Proudfoot will grace us with more new music soon!
