Michael Blum Transforms His Sound In New Single 'Taking You Back'

Michael Blum entered jazz with high ambitions to add something new to a timeless genre. With his impressive debut album, Initiation, All About Jazz praised his musical introduction as a, "stellar debut [that], marks his formal acceptance into the jazz world of recorded artists." In the same year, he was awarded "Rising Star Guitarist" in DownBeat's 63rd Annual Critics Poll. He continued to cement himself as a guitarist willing to expand when he released his 2016 tribute album, Chasin'Oscar: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson.

With the release of his album The Reservoir, in 2017, Blum began pushing his boundaries as a musician, infusing the classic jazz identity he gained with the vastness of pop. The album allowed Blum to begin divulging in the power of songwriting and has led him to a brand-new path in music.

In March, Michael Blum teamed up with producer Jason Strong and songwriter Naïka Richard to create the first of many singles to come, "Taking You Back". The single fuses Blum's songwriting and multi-instrumental skills with electronic production, forging into the electro-pop genre.

The new sound allows Blum to become personal, something he had not been able to express fully in the stricter world of jazz. Says Blum, "Jazz allowed me to safely express myself without words. Now, I'm writing music that speaks directly to the most vulnerable aspects of my own life: sex, relationships, anxiety, depression. It's scary and exciting."

The inspiration behind "Taking You Back" came from a rough patch in his relationship with his long-term girlfriend. Tinged with raw feelings of wonder, hope, and excitement, the single draws on the feelings one has when a relationship is new and unknown. Blum captured this essence throughout the single with the enticing chorus: "So I'm taking you back / To late night conversations / Go Back / Before all expectations / Take you to the time / When girl I blew your mind".

His transition from jazz guitarist to pop songwriter is natural as he clearly translates the relatable feelings everyone has experienced in a relationship. His voice is balanced with the electro instrumental and his performance in the track is expressive. Michael Blum has the ability to push himself from his comfort zone to reach his artistic fulfillment.

"Taking You Back" is the first single to be released in Michael Blum's exploration into pop. Stay tuned through 2019 for more music!

For more information: michaelblummusic.com

To post a comment, you must register and login.