With new single ‘Restrain‘, it is clear that this is a man with a background in metal. Despite stripping things back, the most vitally important elements of that genre have been brought commandingly to the table; namely, sheer power and forceful emotion. Dessie Magee continues to leave behind the gutturals for husky tonality, with awesome impact, creating an exciting and warming soundscape sounding somewhere between Pearl Jam and Fightstar.
The diversity of Dessie’s musical background is on full show with this latest offering. Starting off relaxing, slow and mellow, the song builds into a beast; full of life and passion pinned together by haunting vocal delivery and pure grit. There is a vulnerability to the crooning throughout the verses, before erupting a number of times with strength in the choruses; choruses that drip with sincerity. Instrumentally, the melodic guitar lines and slurpy delays add to the tension, harbouring a dramatic edge that succeeds in complimenting Dessie’s coarse tone. In ‘Restrain’, Dessie has crafted a brilliant piece of alternative rock. There is such care taken to build this track to its explosive and frequent climaxes that it is impossible to describe it in any other way than “crafted”.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it certainly suggests a man that is capable of one or ten in the future. Melancholy, distinct and delivered with conviction; this is more than just a man and his guitar.
