Lewis Bootle premieres “Routes” today. The new single is the title track from Bootle’s forthcoming EP, slated to drop December 12. The release of the EP happens together with Bootle’s London headline show at The Camden Assembly on the same date. Recorded in London at Major Toms, with Conor Bellis, the Routes EP follows on the heels of The Seed EP, which rocketed into the Top 10 on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart.
Influenced by Jamie T, Bob Dylan and Jack Johnson, Bootle’s sound revolves around gentrified folk music infused with pop flavors characterized by acoustic storytelling, as well as stimulating and playful lyricism. His distinctive style sold out shows at The Monarch and The Dublin Castle, encompassed thirty venues in thirty days and provided galvanizing performances at Bestival, Standon and Kendall Calling.
“Routes” opens with light keyboards and Bootle’s inimitable voice assuming an almost sing-song reggae-ish inflection. When the bassline jumps in, the R&B/pop-flavored melody takes on an effervescence that’s infectious with an effortless flow. A slight tang of reggae rides through the melody, giving it a yummy hormonal exuberance. The rhythm of the popping bass and tight snare is energizing, while the bright background vocal harmonies inject the tune with a quasi-choir-like essence fizzing with shiny sonic colors.
Bootle’s voice is laid-back and easy-to-listen-to. His rapid pitter-patter phrasing is charming, discharging an upstream lively energy that spins and whirls with glad hues.
The lyrics to “Routes” cultivate a happy, peppy flood of vim and verve, projecting the brio of crazy optimism that won’t fade or dissipate and, in fact, is highly contagious.
“Home is where the heart is / But I keep on going past it / Been traveling for miles / But its route is everlasting / Stepped into these lands anew / And lands a stone inside my shoe.” And then the chorus: “You never see it / Going on underground / Keeping me up.”
The melody of “Routes” exudes a snug swankiness that’s irresistible. The throbbing rhythm is compact and delightfully comfy. And Bootle’s bantering vocals imbue the lyrics with a foamy effervescence that’s enticing, especially when complemented by the radiant vocal harmonies. “Routes” is absolutely deluxe! If the rest of the EP is this good, we’re in for a treat.
And if you’re near The Camden Assembly in London on December 12, you can see Lewis Bootle perform live. Get more information on the show here.