Cosmic Crooner brings you the charming, captivating glamor of retro music in his masterfully and modernly crafted soundscapes. The artist’s alluring compositions not only stand out for their sound, but also for their contemplative and profound storytelling. Following the success of his debut album, Cosmic Crooner is all set to release a new album– an homage to bossa nova style, classic cinema aesthetics and progressive soul melodies from the late 60s and 70s. ‘Never Wear Your Own Merch,’ the latest release, is the first single from the forthcoming album. The song transports you to a musical world shaped by soul music and cinematic string atmospheres. This unique and distinct sound set to a compelling lyrical story makes for an unforgettable listen, giving you a glimpse of the artful sonic brilliance that is about to unveil in the forthcoming album. Cosmic Crooner’s new single 'Never Wear Your Own Merch' is out now. The artist is also set to play UK live shows as a special guest of Mattiel in December 2024. The artist’s new forthcoming album is expected to release in 2025! So stay tuned for that!
Lost In The Manor interviews Cosmic Crooner about the latest release, musical influences, creative process, and future plans. Check it out below!
Tell us about yourself. How did Cosmic Crooner come about?
Cosmic Crooner has always been a part of me. Eventually, I realized I could no longer just be an audience member. It was time for me to take the stage and sing.
‘Never Wear Your Own Merch’ dazzles with the tender emotionality and timelessness of soul music while also donning the glamorous sheen of cinematic tones. Describe how this mesmeric fusion was created?
While writing the song I was listening to a lot of progressive soul music from the late '60s and early '70s. I wanted to create a timeless piece of music capturing these inspirations. Cinema is always an inspiration for me. I like how cinema can take you to a different place. I want my music to do the same.
What are the musical influences at play here?
Two key musical inspirations for this song are Marvin Gaye and Tim Maia. I became obsessed with the whole ‘Whats Goin' On’ record. I’ve known and liked that record for all my life, but quite recently it just really struck a chord. Furthermore, Tim Maia was an important inspiration. I really like his way of singing and the arrangements of his songs.
What do the lyrics signify? What experiences or stories inspired the writing?
Lyrically this single reflects on my debut album ‘The Perks of Being a Hypocrite’. It’s kind of saying "let’s move forward and never stop looking for inspiration."
How does this single tie into the theme of your highly anticipated upcoming album? What can listeners expect in terms of sound and story from the new album?
The upcoming album is inspired by the golden age of bossa nova, progressive soul music from the '60s and '70s and cinema. ‘Never Wear Your Own Merch’ sits comfortably between these inspirations. Strings and groove play an important part in the new album, just as in this new single.
Name some artists that have shaped your sound and inspired you to create music?
I draw inspiration from countless artists, but Serge Gainsbourg stands out as the most influential. His ability to evoke both laughter and tears within a single song is truly remarkable. Furthermore, I'm a big fan of Lou Reed. One of my favorite quotes by him is ‘one chord is fine, two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz'. True icon.
What are your future plans and what do you look forward to?
I’ll be releasing more music and videos soon. In December I’ll be supporting the iconic artist Mattiel on her UK tour. I'm very much looking forward to that.
Listen to the latest release ‘Never Wear Your Own Merch’ here!
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