Soul-Pop vocals and mellow production, harmonies and heartfelt sentiments – Stay In My Arms marks a distinct introduction to the contemporary audio project of Maurice Norwood.
From the EP Drifting Stars, the song feature subtle dashes of impassioned electric guitar, and a classic soul vocal rising from mellow, lower-toned verses, to a bold and a beautiful hook resolve.
Maurice Norwood, like many ambitious songwriters, has hit the ground running this year – thanks to recent production opportunities that now ring loudly across the scene. His repertoire is grounded amidst this soulful vocal and poetic images, while versatility also makes sure to hold attention.
This romantic ode is intimate at first, later high-passion and powerful, noting similarities to the likes of Teddy Swims or Rag’N’Bone Man.
Consider also Thunder and Rain, a hugely metaphorical song, with a mellow sway of a groove, something colourful and hopeful melodically countering the darkness and struggle of the words. Then to look back at the Drifting Stars EP again, the title-track leads with a lush saxophone line, alongside an intimate metaphorical take on love and lasting connection.
That same EP also gifted the two-voice dynamic and contemplation of Snowfall – a thoughtful, introspective stream of images and similes, again romantically longing but uncertain, lost, looking for answers, while rising up as ever towards a peak that would no doubt be euphoric if a live singer were to capture it.
Finally, another highlight from the rising Maurice Norwood collection, 1 of 1 feels like old-school RnB with a twist of that power-pop ballad energy from the same previously mentioned artists. Fluid and thoughtful verses lay the scenes and story foundations, while a slight pause and subtle evolution rolls towards a smooth and seductive crescendo during the final third.
The structure is a little different here, somewhat mysterious and unique, and that quality makes for a welcomed twist of the unexpected. Maurice Norwood’s sound has clear identity, loving reflections that feel poignant and personal, and these qualities elevate the ideas and character of the sound throughout the catalogue.
Find Maurice Norwood on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok.
