Rostam Finds His Own Voice On The Tender New Single ‘Half-Light’ – UPROXX

When Rostam Batmanglij left Vampire Weekend at the beginning of 2016, there was no doubt of his bona fides as a producer and a songwriter. Not only was he a pillar of the VW aesthetic, but his talents led to studio time and credits with artists as diverse as Frank Ocean, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Solange. But with the upcoming September 15th release of his debut solo album, Half-Light, Rostam will attempt to stand on his own, allowing his voice to hold the spotlight like never before.

For the final advance offering from the collection, Rostam presents a tender, fragile piano ballad that gives little to distract from his own bare vocals. This serves as a sharp contrast from the other singles that hes presented, with tracks like Bike Dream and Gwan as notable for the lush arrangements as they are for Rostams singing. But on Half-Light, there is little adornment for the vocal melody, with the track presented as a lyric video to further hone in on what Rostam is doing as a singer.

Its not a secret that Rostam doesnt have the technical vocal chops of his former Vampire Weekend bandmate Ezra Koenig, but Half-Light shows that doesnt really matter. The recording veers far from attempting perfection, with every vocal quiver and between-line breath left as a signifier of intimacy. Its a song that is more concerned with showing Rostam as he really is, and not how others might expect him to sound. Hinting at romance that is temporary but impactful, he paints a picture of the imprint that someone can leave long after they are physically absent.

Still, Rostams inclinations toward grand gestures cant stay away for an entire song. Percussion and a buzzing synth burst in for the bridge, while Wet vocalist Kelly Zutrau closes the song with an echo of Rostams final verse. Half-Light is ultimately an accurate representation of the album that its preceding, where one of musics most respected behind-the-scenes players comes into his own as a veritable star.

Listen to Rostams Half-Light above.

Originally posted here:
Rostam Finds His Own Voice On The Tender New Single 'Half-Light' - UPROXX

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero