Escape Into The Musical Arms of David Shaw
“With his self-titled, solo debut, Shaw gives us an escape from the chaotic world around us, inviting us deep inside his soul for an experience like no other.”
The talent of David Shaw is no secret. As an artist, musician, producer, and most famously as the frontman for The Revivalists, Shaw has given the music world number one hits and performed before thousands upon thousands of fans around the globe. His latest venture has him taking a step inside himself with the release of his very first solo album, David Shaw. Produced by the Grammy award-winning Jack Splash (known for his work with Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, and Solange) and released on his own Yokoko Records in partnership with C3 Records, Shaw’s debut is pure gold.
The record is a great mix of rock, folk, blues, and everything under the sun with David’s vocals pulling it all together as one. Overall there is a feeling of positivity even when Shaw tackles difficult topics, providing a bit of hope in these uncertain times we are living in. Taking on the systemic injustices in our society with “Promised Land,” Shaw starts with a jangly vibe before diving into the blues, holding back just a little but never too much.
The next song, “Shaken,” is all about rising above your situation and overcoming the obstacles in your way. “Those walls are comin’ down.” “The ground was shaken.” It’s got a grooving tune and at the end of it all, David is still there, on his own two feet, shaken and it is fantastic.
The feel good vibe continues with “Got Me Feeling Good,” a laid-back tune at first that will have your toes tapping before it builds and builds into this epic chorus. It most certainly will have you feeling good, taking all your troubles away.
Even on the bluesy “Heavy Soul,” there is a strong feeling of being able to come out of things okay. “I ain’t goin’ down without a fight,” sings Shaw begging the listener to look harder at their circumstances and fight for what they believe is right for them.
Now it’s time to grab your significant other and softly sway under the moonlight for the exquisite piano ballad “Shivers.” Love indeed can shelter us from what is going on around us so indulge in this escape and wrap the love around you until you get the “shivers.”
We’re about halfway into the record and so far, Shaw has not disappointed. The songwriting is strong and his vocals are on fire, full of passion and uniquely his own. It’s been a musical journey, full of emotions. Since I mentioned emotions, this album is all about the feelings you get when listening to it. “Something To This Feeling” is jamming from the start with its do, do, do beats and fun rhythms that make you want to get up and move and just be in the moment. I love how David takes it down to the spoken word before going full out energy again around the two-minute mark. This one is a keeper. The fun continues with the sing-along style of “I’ll Be Your Man” and the jaunty feel of “So Far Gone.”
“All I’ve ever known is written in my soul. All I want to be is beautiful and free.” “I Can Hear You (Calling On Me)” is probably the funkiest song on the album with a great breakdown and some out-of-this-world horns. Following the funk are the fiery rockers “Bad Side of You” with some pretty fantastic guitar work and “Disrepair (Master.)”
The album closer, “The Place,” is in a word, perfection. It’s the perfect song to end this experience, a peaceful tune that reminds you there’s always a place you can go. That particular place doesn’t have to be physical in nature and for many of us, it isn’t. Music can be that place, offering us a refuge from the world around us. It’s a place that can lift our spirits, soothe our weary souls, and comfort us in times of need. Thank you David for sharing your place with us.
