Given that Ray LeVier is first and foremost a drummer, it comes as no surprise that it is the beats that initially define Uncharted Destiny, his latest single. But this is no exercise in showboating; he is smarter than that and understands that building songs is about balance and restraint, the right sonic piece in the right place at the right time. So, all he does is succinctly lay out the backbeat and structure of the song before quickly adding all manner of silky sonics and electronic washes.
That way, he is able to create a song that runs on a spacious and modestly paced groove whilst he lays out his tale of self-discovery in the vastness of space. And whilst this scintillating sci-fi-pop can be taken at face value, it is, of course, a metaphor for embracing the unknown and leaving our own real-world comfort zones, and finding strength and bravery in taking such bold and unnerving steps.
Being a master of rhythms and beats, he is able to add so much more to the song’s ever-evolving backbeat, effortlessly and elegantly moving from rock beats to jazz fusion grooves to robust hip-hop rhythms as required to bring the necessary poise and power, propulsion, or poignancy to it.
This is a musician who clearly moves to the beat of his own drum, and the things he can do with that drum will make your head spin!
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