The singer-songwriter Mitch Allen’s new song, “Love That For You,” is a bluesy, jazz-influenced, experimental yet highly constructed piece. He composed the melody on his Roland keyboard first, and the song began as an experiment, just knocking things out to see where the music led. What emerged is an incredibly rich character piece that hinges on tone, mood, and point of view.
Allen took cues from the stream of chords and followed his instincts into a sound realm he had found appealing in his past listenings, but which he hadn’t yet owned as part of his own writing. The effect is a piece that’s both loose and scheduled, playful and sharp in how it arrives at its conclusion.
Instead of writing about his own life, he tries to get inside the head of someone whose mindset does not come naturally to him. You hear the influence of artists such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Dr. John, and Joni Mitchell, and they are adept at blending humor, social commentary, and good musicianship. He takes that cop spirit, writing songs about characters, and runs it through his own filter, which constantly evolves.
“Love That For You” is also excellent on a perfectly musical, abstract level, with jazzy-sounding textures and bluesy phrasing. The melodies glide with an easy coolness, and the lyrics provide a sly underpinning that holds your attention. With this release, Mitch Allen shows he’s not afraid to take risks with his art. “Love That For You” feels like a creative leap that takes risks, is funny, and is very, very human. It’s jazz storytelling with a wink, and it lingers long.
Connect with Mitch Allen on Instagram – @mitchmakemusic
Discover Mitch Allen on | Spotify |
