The debut single by California singer/songwriter Ryan Reid starts with a sample of the all-too familiar but never tiring "I'll give you the moon" scene from It's A Wonderful Life, and with that, love is on the table.
Perhaps the most appealing part of "Amelia" is it could resonate with anyone. It sounds as much like hazy sunsets in the summers of your teens as it does slow-dancing with your lover on vacation with your family. It owes that to a blanket of atmosphere and the intermittent roll call of different voices glazed in vintage effects. Reid never fails to marry them under his mesmerizing pattern of picked acoustic guitar, or the doubled vocals and harmonies of his light-footed phrasing.
The lyrics float sparsely above everything else, and in few words communicate his conviction alongside a warm longing. Reid's relaxed vocals come off as less of a plea and more comforting reassurance. It's simple and reminiscent of indie-rock artist Mac Demarco, with lo-fi elements surfacing at both ends, as well as every 70s influence very lovingly embedded in what probably comes as second nature to Reid. You'll find yourself singing along on first listen.
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