Listeners are thrust immediately into a world of distorted ambience, which the latest single from CS Hellman, “Something Simple,” primes from the very first note. This then quickly turns to an vibrant indie rock romp with relaxed yet driving drums and rich guitar lines. Hellman’s vocals, smothered in authenticity, lead us through a story of hope and reality that takes us to that dreamy state where reality seems so far away.
Following on the success of his last release, “In A World Gone Wrong,” “Something Simple” once again showcases the production of *repeat repeat’s Jared Corder. Recorded at the idyllic Polychrome Ranch outside of Nashville, TN, this track is evidence of the synergy that Hellman and Corder have together. Corder, who has worked with the likes of Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, brings a steady hand to the production and makes every element of the song shine.
At its base, “Something Simple” grounds an optimistic spirit with a dose of true reality. In this, Hellman captures the universal feeling of people in pursuit at the end of a dream. That’s so deep in his personal journey that the mantra of the song is “I’ll never make it if it’s something simple.” The song speaks to that very point: fulfillment and true purpose come from facing challenges, not from the easy path.
A lot of the inspiration for “Something Simple” is a kind of dreamy escapism, an unrelenting hunger for more than the mundane. Hellman takes himself and his listener into this alternative reality, to which he drags them headfirst with his music. But alas, for most such daydreams, the escape brings with it bittersweet realisation. The song captures that tug of war between wanting to stay in that dreamlike state and the inevitable pull back into reality.
Musically, the song is inspired by bands like The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, and MGMT. All these influences come together with great energy and a sense of eclecticism. His distinctive vocal style and dynamic instrumentation create a very refreshing, involving experience.
For indie rock lovers and music aficionados whose idea of questioning humanity lies within the art of songwriting, “Something Simple” should be one of your top go-to listens. This is the song that introspects and get deeper into the connection with the dreams and realities of our own. How CS Hellman skilfully fused storytelling with rich musicality easily won “Something Simple” one of the standout tracks on any playlist. The song will take up residence in the heads of its listeners long after the last note has rung out.
You can find more of CS Hellman at:
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You can listen to ‘Something Simple’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.