Solo piano and impassioned female vocals make up the timeless, theatrical yet heartfelt depths of Lonesome Echo’s latest single Don’t Give Up On Us.
Featuring quietly expressive shorter lines that build up a story of love and the difficult goodbye – a woman betrothed to another man, struggling to cut ties with the one she truly loves – the single always resolves back to this title and higher-noted performance. ‘I can’t give up on love’ resounds and repeats, followed by the calmer and more definitive finish of ‘Don’t give up on us’.
Somewhat bold yet also minimalist by design, the central emotional longing and depth of the song is striking, and it’s delivered purely through this humble classical arrangement and the sheer intensity and power of the leading voice. The set-up brings through subtle strings during its final third, and the piano intensifies to a more rhythmic beating heart. All the while, the desperation of this statement, of ‘Don’t give up on us’, continues to strengthen its grip.
The creative project Lonesome Echo is the work of songwriter Robert James. His music seeks to intertwine melancholy and nostalgia both stylistically and in the conceptual realness and humanity of the writing.
Themes of love lost and its ‘lingering beauty’ make up much of the lyrical journey, and Robert’s repertoire features a rotating cast of singers whom have each been recognised as finalists in either The Voice or American Idol. This unique performative ability helps bring to life the genuine emotion and passion of every Lonesome Echo song, and Don’t Give Up On Us exemplifies that quality perhaps more so than any other.
There is also an alternative original version of Don’t Give Up On Us, which features a much more intimate, more quietly mixed, softly spoken vocal lead, and effectively lets the idea echo out amidst these naturally evocative strings and piano keys. A stunning take that again reinforces the boldly relatable sense of longing and desire at the heart of the writing.
Find Lonesome Echo on YouTube.
