celebrant - Austin Town Hall

Robert Sotelo Announces Indoors LP + Shares Caught in a Shape

August 25, 2022 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

Last year’s Celebrant LP from Robert Sotelo was a magnificent collection of tunes, and today we have news that there’s a companion album ready for release this September via Upset the Rhythm. Our first sample has a nice synth driven narration, driving the tune in this light-hearted electronic world, washed with warm colors that coat the robotic nature. Take that touch, mix it with the melodic rise and fall of the vocals, and find that you’re given an electronic jam that feels more organic than mechanistic. Things feel buoyant and filled with the promise of another brilliant release on the books; Indoors will be out on September 16th.

Upset The Rhythm Robert Sotelo – ‘Caught In A Shape’

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Robert Sotelo Shares The Currency Is Love Video

November 11, 2021 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

We’ve been hyping up Celebrant, the new record from Robert Sotelo that’s dropping in your lap tomorrow, but we’ve got one final jam before you get to hear it in its entirety. “The Currency is Love” deals with the theme of pushing on despite the world around us crumbling, which seems a fit final single for the UN Climate Change Conference wrapping up. Musically, the song’s built around these synthetic pulses and beats, at times emphatically sharpening Sotelo’s voice, and other times just kicking in a bounce to keep you on board, like the heavier loop dropping in after the two minute mark. Personally, I love how things don’t feel overly sterile and cold, with Robert doing his best to hang some melody out there with his vocals. So, let’s follow suit because like the song says “the currency is love,” and I love this record so grab Celebrant tomorrow from Upset the Rhythm.

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New Video from Robert Sotelo

October 27, 2021 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

Robert Sotelo will be releasing Celebrant in early November, and with that date approaching, there’s another new video to tease you into buying the LP. I love how it opens up with this muted glitch, evolving into a layered glitch and melodic pulse that drives the song’s tension. Then comes Sotelo, hanging his voice in that sort of darkened pop expanse, swirling with melody, bravado and hints of drama. The chorus hits on these playful notes, lifting the tune briefly. All that said, the song is about longing and protection with Robert saying the track is about feeling “overly paternal towards a parent,” which becomes increasingly difficult in the current climate. And just to say…I wish more people wrote pop tunes like this. Celebrant is out November 12th via Upset the Rhythm.

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Robert Sotelo Returns with Influencer

September 16, 2021 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

Hopefully this is the year that Robert Sotelo‘s work really registers with those who spend time with his new album, Celebrant. Musically, he’s dwelling in this sort of constructionist pop realm, carefully stacking layers of synths atop one another, leaving enough space for the song to breathe so he can drape his lyrics atop. At times, his voice takes on a slight coldness, almost robotic in nature, however, he’s still quick to turn it into this celebratory melody that will make your heart flutter. The song’s both futuristic and steeped in nostalgic art pop, so dip your toes in the fine waters of Sotelo’s craft. Celebrant is out November 12th via Upset the Rhythm.

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