As with all genres of music, what works and what doesn’t is subjective and dependent upon the listener, the receiver. However, to press play and immerse yourself in Le Coc’s release Stranger Once and Now is fairly guaranteed to give any fans of hard rock the heavy yet crisp and melodic hit they’re been searching for, as well as something refreshingly satisfying.
Beginning with the perfect kind of beat to vibe to, fusing that laid-back, ambient energy with a mellow rock rhythm, Stranger Once and Now opens up and moves along in the right kind of way. Le Coc’s voice and lyricism are the final pieces of the puzzle, starting with the softly melodic hook, presenting a uniquely deep, confident, and characterful leading voice, soon followed up by a rock performance that keeps the rhythm and flows relevant and brings about a certain kind of honesty and realness that speaks to the heart of authentic rock music.
The track has an attitude, a smooth and confident sort of style that hits with seemingly effortless power. Le Coc’s flow throughout is varied and underlines a number of different abilities, including that of a more melodic delivery rather than purely rock. The energy and passion are consistent, as is the wordplay – always keeping things fresh and interesting. There’s a good balance between storytelling and personality, the two fuse well among the musical backdrop and make for what is a striking and easy to get into a piece of modern rock music.
The song’s hook is important as it offers a peacefully melodic moment that again provides contrast and further appeal within the track. It’s a strong hook, not overly flashy or loud but simple and effective, meeting the mood and the concept of the song in a blissful way. The artist’s voice is the final factor to make this something special. There’s a definite sense of identity there, a certain tone and performance style that comes through as fresh and exciting. It’s also a pleasure to listen to a voice with just a few simple effects added to enhance the distance and thoughtfulness of the song, rather than to fit in with some industry-standard or expectation. The track is free from influence, beautifully written, and flawlessly performed. Definitely an artist to look out for.
