Track listing: Fool

I'm blasting Ever Given's new single "Fool" thinking to myself, "What does this sound like? It sounds like something..." Perhaps because these legends are currently touring and I'm seeing their ads all day long, I hear the vocal prowess of Triumph's Rik Emmett and Gil Moore--the bright vocal timbre and soaring harmonies. But musically speaking there's more early 2000s Incubus in the rhythm and arrangement. Still, I wouldn't say that Ever Given sounds like either of those groups.

What jumps out at me first is how organic the production is on "Fool." I love that you can hear the percussive sound of the pick scraping over the acoustic guitar strings. And the distorted guitar, while full-bodied and huge, also sounds like a guitar in a club as opposed to an over-produced, over-processed tone. Somewhat similar to my hearing different eras in the performance and arrangement, that same essence comes through in the production. I hear the warm analog tones of an Aldo Nova record followed by the thunderous boom of Blue Murder's debut, and an overarching rock anthem expansive breadth. Ever Given producer/drummer Stevie Fennell explains in a @evergivenband Instagram post that the single was recorded entirely on analog equipment--real amps, real mics, with no shortcuts or funny business to be found.

With Fennell's drumming background and production acumen teamed with Jason Crowden's singing/songwriting chops, the pair combine forces to make quite the formidable music duo. And while I do not know this for a fact, I would wager that the team are audiophiles with a wide expanse of influences across a number of rock music eras (at the very least ranging from the 1970's to early 2000-oughts.

Ever Given is currently working toward a full-length release that will include "Fool." Give them a follow across their social and streaming platforms to hear the latest from Ever Given: on Facebook | @evergivenband on Instagram | reverbnation.com/evergivenband | @evergivenband on X | @EverGivenBand on YouTube.