On his new single "Wake Up," Toronto indie singer-songwriter SAM HUDSON opens his forthcoming EP, "Pop Goes the Human," with an explosion of palette and emotion. Matching the golden glow of vintage pop with the punch of contemporary indie rock, this introductory track is a breezy, ruminative, and achingly catchy tune that serves as a firm reminder that any day holds new potential even when it doesn't feel that way.
"Wake Up" establishes a tone that is equally jaunty and contemplative. The verses have a gentle melancholy, the lyricist pondering the painful proposition of not quite being there yet in life. But then, like sunlight through blinds, the chorus suddenly breaks through at 0:35, bouncy enough to shake the dust of doubt off its shoes, if not the skepticism from its soul, and sweetly prescribing that one might as well lean into the positive things happening right now. It drives home that we often have more proximity to our dreams than we realize.
This is a jubilant blend of folk pop, pop rock, and indie pop, recalling the bounce of early Tom Petty and the melodic spark of the Beatles with just enough introspective substance to keep it grounded. There's a feeling of classic British pop revival to all this, but HUDSON carries it off with his own modern swing. The lyrics are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of HUDSON's DIY, multi-instrumentalist songwriting style, and the organic instrumentation feels home-sewn and heartfelt.
A native of Kent County, New Brunswick, HUDSON incorporates features from his own experience of awakening spirituality in his music, meaning "Wake Up" is as much a nudge to get out of bed as it is a metaphor for spiritual clarity. As both a music teacher and indie producer, his meticulousness and depth of feeling are evident throughout every second of the track. The first taste of a five-song EP slated for release later this fall, "Wake Up" is a spirited, considered entrance for SAM HUDSON's new era. With catchy hooks, tour dates on the horizon, and televised ad campaigns, this single also introduces audiences to an artist whose work is both honest in craft and optimistic in spirit. With "Wake Up," SAM HUDSON gives you a feeling, a moment, a nudge to open your eyes to the beauty already lying around you.