Reed Gaines - “All That They Told You”
Reed Gaines’ “All That They Told You” is a reflective and thoughtful number. It has elements of lo-fi, but also traditional indie pop. The song showcases the artist’s ability to blend different instruments and create a harmonious yet sparse soundscape. The almost muted guitar work sets a calm tone that is complemented by the slow bouncing percussion. The kick drum pulses whilst gentle drum taps fill out the percussion.
A fuzzy lead guitar adds to the mood, but, again, it is not taking up attention– it only appears a couple of times, briefly, to build the mood that Gaines is creating. It all works together to give this track a nice movement. The lo-fi piano adds a warm and comforting element, while the vocal performance is breathy and easy on the ears. Reed’s lyrics are also very relatable and catchy. The backing vocals provide a nice support to the lead vocal, making the song feel complete. Overall, this song is a perfect example of how simplicity can lead to greatness in music.
The artist says: “‘All That They Told You’ has been worked, reworked, and reworked again before I finally felt like it was where I wanted it to be. Finally, I was able to make it sound like what I was envisioning in my head: a dark, folk-tinged indie offering with meditative lyrics and an alluring atmosphere.”