Hugo Cottu - “Seventeen”

UK-based singer-songwriter Hugo Cottu has just released the gentle, retro-tinged, psychedelic sounds of “Seventeen.”

Cottu gets things started with a lo-fi and slightly tape-warbled acoustic guitar-driven intro, which allows the track to instantly capture our interest. Around the thirty second mark, the arrangement is joined by a vintage-infused rhythm section, complete with a classic sounding production on the drums and some thick bass to provide a weighty foundation.

This expansion of the overall sound prompts the emergence of Cottu’s vocal, dreamy and reverberated with warm harmonies in all the right places. A wonderful highlight here is the way that he breaks into falsetto upon the arrival of the hook, elevating “Seventeen” in such a way that it stirs the listener’s emotions, perhaps shaking some memories from the trees of time.

Of course, you cannot have a six-minute song that possesses this much classic flavor without also including a guitar solo, so after the final throw of choruses, you will find a super vibey and tastefully utilized lead that breezily combs through the peaks of the track.

This is Cottu’s first solo release since his 2019 EP and we must admit that we are extremely excited to see what he releases next. Until then, be sure to take some time to enjoy “Seventeen” and all of the introspection it will likely set in motion.

-HD