Rabib Rafiq – Cold River

Jon Doyle — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 18:18:08 +0000

Though ostensibly a solo artist from Western Massachusetts, songwriter Rabib Rafiq has a network of collaborators across the United States. His debut single, ‘Cold River’ sees contributions from both Jeni Magana (AKA Magana) and Wayne Whittaker, and received subsequent polish from Grant Wicks (of Uncanny Audio, in Easthampton MA) and John Would (Stanley Recordings in LA).

There’s a haunting starkness to the song, though one leavened by the slinking clarinet, dark tones given a playful, dancing edge. Rafiq’s vocals drift across the track too, delivered direct and unadorned before raising in moments of mewled energy, recalling elements of the rustic strangeness of Will Oldham or Bill Callahan. The result is like the river of the title, shadowed and snaking as it winds through the backwoods of you mind, all the while refusing to reveal what it keeps hidden in its depths.

‘Cold River’ is out now on Hand Over Foot Records and available via streaming services.

Art by Anja Schütz

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Rabib Rafiq – Cold River