Grow Together
Ryan Sparrow
Relationships are one of the core themes explored by singer/songweriters up and down musics history. From the outpouring of words to their ‘one and only’ or to the crooning lament of love lost, each artist has adapted this theme to fit their music. However, it is only a few that can really stir a listener, those songs are not just Theo new full of platitudes and loose rhymes, but those that are ripped straight from the hearts of the writer behind them. They are the songs that don’t shy away from the raw and brutal nature of their topic.
In Grow Together, experienced singer/songwrtier, Ryan Sparrow opens up old wounds and explores the feelings of despair and desperation that follow in the wake of a relationships breakdown. Ramping up the maturity and adapting a nostalgic 90’s Indie sound, Ryan weaves together a musical journey for his listeners. From its opening lyrics that include “….While I’m healing, this broken heart of mine….” To the final line “….Can we grow together?….” the song walks us through the playing out of an internal conversation in the mind of the songs narrator.
Making his lyrics straight forward and honest, Ryan is able to portray a scenario many will have experienced and does a good job displaying the distant hope that you can still feel for a relationship to succeed despite the signs pointing in the other direction. He fully embraces the one-sidedness of the conversation and steers away from an out right conclusion, both allowing the chance for hope and despair to play out in your own head.
Musically the song, as mentioned before, lends itself to a nostalgic Indie feel with a hint of Rock ’n’ Roll added to it through the well placed lead breaks and strong vocal performance from Ryan himself. One thing however that stood out to me was the initial opening to the song. It is almost reminiscent of a steam engine tooting it’s horn. Now whether this was on purpose or not, running with the analogy of a steam engine, it gives the song a forward momentum, and adds to the feel of a journey. As though you are watching brief moments flash by as the train moves forwards. That could just be me though.
Overall, this song is a strong release from Ryan Sparrow who has time and time again proven his ability to write meaningful and poignant songs, whether with a full band or flying solo. Grow Together though is also a step forward for Ryan as he begins to build his own style and sound one song at a time.
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