“Without You” gets to the core of grief of the commemorative EP “Memories and Possibilities,” of RISE released at the dawn of 2024.
Recorded at Whitewood Studios in Liverpool and produced by Rob Whiteley, the high-tempo song, “Without You” hits you with an adrenaline rush, shakes up the yearning for your loved one and, unfortunately, makes you want to chase it to the other dimension.
Although the song starts with the bouts of energetic distorted blazes of the guitar by Brian Petch, it only gets better with dreamy synth waves sending you down a spiral of memories. The drums, led by Alex Mahoney, hit hard steadily and the sparkly cymbals spark like zesty sprinkles of lemon and salt on those old wounds. But nothing compares to the intensely impassioned vocals of Sam Kinley (aka stayMellow).
Sam Kinley unrelentingly and consistently throws his husky and heavy voice amongst the storm of instrumentals and trails his raw and heart-throbbing vocal texture like the light that tries to pierce through the darkness. In the chorus, he sings, “I am not ready/I am not ready/I am not ready to let go,” expressing the turmoil of unresolved emotions and the initial stage of grief. The verses illustrate how he can still feel their presence. You won’t believe how persuasively the bridge can tug at your heartstrings with its agonizing bends of the electric guitar.
“Without You” effortlessly gets you emotional and weak at your knees, as the song tributes to the late vocalist and bass player and co-founder, Steve Kinley in 2022.
Listen to “Without You” and let RISE show you everything the rock genre can accomplish with its anthemic, high-energy.
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Review By: Naomi Joan