In his new single “Hang On To You,” Ian Roland distills something more than a simple love song. It’s a gently powerful anthem of emotional defiance. Roland’s delivery is intimate yet profoundly universal in these increasingly fractured and uncertain times. Love is worth holding onto, in its most unadulterated form, even as everything else falls apart.
The track opens with a comforting warmth, Roland’s hallmark acoustic guitar setting a gentle scene for his ruminative vocals. There’s a rawness to his voice, something unfiltered and refreshingly vulnerable. The lyrics are heavy with the weight of troubled times, but instead of wallowing in despair, they rise with a quiet resolve. It’s a song that feels like it speaks directly to the soul of anyone who’s ever held fast to a meaningful connection when the world outside seemed cold and chaotic.
The song is decently lush, and the acoustic instruments surrounding it feel like a hug. Dave Coomber’s staid bass lines bring weight to the track, keeping it hinged on a measured groove. James Chapman’s drumming strikes an emotional, steady, patient, and purposeful pace. This is a strong and varied track, and one of the most notable contributions belongs to Mishkin Fitzgerald, whose piano and keyboards give the whole affair life and grace. Her background vocals are of the ethereal kind, softly embracing Roland’s lead, with such a wonderful vocal exchange during the chorus that elevates the song to another level.
Produced alongside Jake Skinner at Brighton Road Recording Studios, the track is slick while maintaining its raw emotional draw. Every element, from the mix to the master, courtesy of Bob Macciochi at Subvert Central Mastering, works to the song’s advantage as a delicate yet precise reminder that love still counts.
“Hang On To You” isn’t only a ballad of love. It is a quiet revolution, a reminder that love is not a weakness but a strength, especially in dark times. Ian Roland has provided you with a very warm refuge from the storm. In the process, he’s gifted us with one of his most resonant recordings yet.
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