KC Shore: “Soup” is great, simply because it’s heartfelt music

Picked up this EP a couple of days ago, but it’s been on repeat since then. It’s constantly surprising me and it’s completely lovely in every single way; intricate landscapes of sound created with absolute simplicity. KC Shore will sweep you into another world, crafted by the poetic gold that he fits into every song on “Soup”. His voice is soothing, a little melancholy, but confident, and his instrumentals, as can be heard on the track entitled, “Cliff”, exhibits something close to perfection. A guitarist and songwriter from Jacksonville, Florida, KC Shore used to play in a death metal band but now writes music that he hopes will relax people, especially those who are depressed or anxious.

KC Shore has a psychology degree from UNF in Jacksonville, and “Soup” is his second EP release. Shore says that he attempts to write music that is bittersweet in sound because he finds the idea of transience in life and all things, very moving, and inspiring. If you are looking for something to rock on down the highway, this is not what you are looking for.

If you are looking for finely crafted music then you have found it. I have been listening to this at night as I wind down for the day. As I am writing this I am silently singing “Do You Remember the Cold?” – “Last night I got too drunk and made a few mistakes. A couple are just for nostalgia’s sake. As if my shoulders were missing the weight. Of a desire that I couldn’t shake…”

Listening to his guitar strummed tune, “More Than Kings”, by all accounts, singer-songwriter KC Shore would seem the least likely candidate to be any type of in-demand performer. He is remarkably unassuming in his tone and presence, rarely approaching the top of his vocal register when he sings.

There’s nary a song on “Soup” that could even be closely associated to the word “up-tempo”, and when it comes to instrumentation and production on the record, Shore absolutely lives by the less-is-more adage.

And yet, and for all his low-key-ness, here I am glued to the speakers, closely listening to this 3 track EP. Why? Simple: he’s a damn good songwriter with an uncanny ability to fill his songs with tangible atmospheres.

Somehow, this Jacksonville artist has managed to capture the essence of chill and ambient and infused it with singer-songwriter tendencies. KC Shore shines by creating simple melodies over sparse arrangements, and then filling the spaces with compelling and engaging lyricism.

All of this imagery sits atop minimal yet creative orchestrations – a foundation of clean guitar, maybe a bit of light percussion and a few piano riffs here and there, together with some other rare embellishments. I am amazed as I listen to how captivated I am by this simple, understated sound that simply should not feel this interesting – but it is.

That’s how I know this is really cool music. “Soup” flies in the face of hype, showy solos, or even the foot-stomping fervor that has taken over much of mainstream music today. It’s great, simply because it’s heartfelt music. And it stands on its own.

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