In “Flow Like a River,” Forrest Hill meditates on letting go, accepting all of the nuances, only to be held back by negativity. As the centerpiece of his upcoming album Beyond the Veil, the track arrives after a long journey through disillusionment, cynicism, and inner conflict. Released ahead of the full record due July 11, 2025, “Flow Like a River” emerges from Hill’s reflections on the Buddhist Three Poisons—greed, hatred, and delusion—and channels them into this song.
Opening with the thump of steady drums and the warm flicker of plucked acoustic guitar, the track quickly builds a lush soundscape. Hill expressively sings with a gravelly, intimate, and commanding voice. As the chorus swells, fuzzy electric guitars crash in with a gritty, shimmering energy, met by splashing cymbals and layered synth flourishes that add a cosmic shimmer to the grounded instrumentation. This dynamic arrangement reveals the tension between resistance and surrender, flowing beyond the rigidity of the ego and embracing life’s natural currents.
Produced by longtime collaborator J. Christopher Thomas and recorded at the iconic Tiny Telephone Studios in Oakland, the song showcases Hill’s evolution as both writer and performer. Influences of Andrew Bird’s intricate composition style mingle with U2-style echoing guitars and Tom Petty’s heartfelt Americana edge, giving the track a nostalgic yet progressive atmosphere. There’s a psychedelic lilt, thanks to the deep reverb effects on Hill’s voice, but the emotional clarity always cuts through.
A former funk-rock frontman turned meditative troubadour, Forrest Hill brings decades of lived experience to every note. Find the experience gushing through the music in “Flow Like a River” on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan