Glassio - “Off The Cuff”
Brooklyn-based artist Glassio guides us through the feeling of displacement with the anthemic alt pop rock “Off The Cuff.”
“Off The Cuff” is reminiscent of the later, gentler work of Blur. The Ballad of Darren comes to mind, with Albarn-esque backing vocal arrangements that enter at the crescendo. Fidgety, yet metronomic drums and the meticulous production polish. But just drawing a simple comparison would do this song and artist a disservice. There is also something else working its magic that is the ‘almost pop’ musical layers.
The opening vocal melody gives a brief hint of Carl Douglas capturing his knack for sing along melodies he executed so well in the 1970s. We have the trippy Beatles’ ‘strawberry flute’ mellotron that flickers around the edges of the sublime guitar licks. The heavier guitar chords bring to mind early 2000s American soaked alt pop rock. One thing for sure is that in the era of hyper-niche genres, Glassio has mastered the rare art of sonic collages.
The vocal rests at the centre of the bingo card of lush, nostalgic sounds. The intimate, airy and wonderfully emotive delivery brings to mind the contemplative side of Beck. At first introspective, it soars anthemically over the choruses, beckoning you to sing along. It is a masterclass in restraint yet widescreen, like a secret being shared in a crowded room.
On the song’s meaning, Glassio adds: “For anyone feeling trapped and out of sync with their usual self, this is for you.” Elegantly arranged with lush melodies, “Off The Cuff” is taken from the forthcoming album, The Imposter, which is slated for release February 25th.