Portland-based singer-songwriter Shawn Brown releases his brand-new single, “Find Another Way,” a track lifted from his forthcoming EP, The Rain Parade, slated to drop on August 19.
Talking about the EP, Brown shares, “This whole thing came out of pure friendship. I’d been out of music for about 10 years and Rafa just wasn’t having it. He had this magical way of coaxing me back into writing, which turned into jamming, which turned into a full-blown recording project. Myself, Grecco Buratto, and Rafa – we were making music for ourselves and all these other hugely talented people just kept jumping on board with what we were doing. Turns out, I had a lot to say in these songs, so I’m grateful people get to hear it. To me, the whole EP just sounds like friends lovin’ on each other.”
Rafa Cirne Lima pulled together a writing and production alliance that also includes co-producer Grecco Buratto (Shakira) and is crowned with session performances from stellar musicians, including Brendan Buckley (Morrisey), Daniel Clarke (Ryan Adams), and buzzed-about singer-songwriter Alexia Anne. Lima contributed bass on the EP while Buratto mixed the EP, played guitars, and keyboards, and contributed backing vocals. The EP was mastered by Justin Moshkevich (Rufus Wainwright).
“Find Another Way” opens on a mid-tempo rhythm, featuring a tasty side-stick snare and a fat, walking bassline. Dripping with Americana and hints of alt-rock flavors, the tune travels on gleaming guitars, swelling strings, and an alluring swaying motion.
Brown’s distinctive rhinal voice, at once unique and deliciously scratchy, evokes nostalgic sensations, imbuing the lyrics with lingering memories.
“And I been searching in the past / Trying to find a way back home … Time marches on / Makes it hard to see the truth / It leaves it undefined.”
Shawn Brown has it going on! “Find Another Way,” beautifully wrought, shimmers and glides on luscious sonic leitmotifs, capped by Brown’s inimitable, haunting voice.
