A pulsating beat, twangy, rock and roll riffs passionate vocals and unforgettable melodies, Hugo Stranger and his band of Rattlers are here to prove that vintage-inspired pop rock still has a place on today’s musical landscape, and a quite warm spot in all our hearts.
Aussie band Hugo Stranger and the Rattlers have just released ‘Set Me Free’, and it is terribly charming. Based in Brisbane, Australia, the outfit is led by singer and songwriter Tom Harrison whose gritty, yelled vocals are infectious and energetic, and his songwriting knack is sharp and efficient. Basing the song on a repeating, super simple guitar line, a drum part that’s roomy, elegant, and also simple, the band are able to tap into something deeply reminiscent of 60s pop and surf, as well as of rock and roll with its dynamic lightheartedness and energetic flow.
Most prominent on ‘Set Me Free’ and its hypnotic repetitive nature is Harrison’s inspired and passionate vocals that lend the song a timelessness which plays really well off the clearly vintage instrumental and sonic palette. A heartwarming piece of songwriting, ‘Set Me Free’ is both nostalgic and, paradoxically, unquestionably modern and chic. Like a fitting ode to a litany of vintage style, executed in a loving and respectful manner, ‘Set Me Free’ is a brilliant piece of songwriting by Hugo Stranger and the Rattlers.
Leaving us hungry for more, Tom Harrison’s return to his band is colorful, cheerful, charismatic, and endlessly fun.
