By Emma Page
Los Angeles-based recording artist, writer, and composer, Conor James’s newest single, “Damn Yankees,” released May 20, is a cathartic descent of circumstance. As James pointed out himself, the song is “an outburst of anger. It’s not about a specific person, it’s for a host of experiences.”
The track introduces listeners to a sound reminiscent of the lyrical ballads of Sam Smith mixed with funky, intense electric guitar. Layered vocal harmonies and a chorus of voices behind James’s screaming lead to the climax of the song, which is embellished by the impressive and emotional rock guitar. All of this signifies a release of emotion, which seems to be James’s goal. “Damn Yankees” builds and pulls back.
In this song, not only the strums of the guitar –but the lyrics– strike you hard, as James repetitively questions and pleads in all honesty:
“Gave you myself, now why did I do that?
Accepted your help, now why did I do that?
Shut out everyone else, now why did I do that?
Made me feel sacred to out on my own
When I called I always hoped you wouldn’t pick up the phone”.
James’s upcoming LP, Cabaret, is “an emotional journey about trying on identities,” as the singer-songwriter says. “Damn Yankees” may be the album at its most intense. “Drawn from the middle of the album, it is one in a trio of songs about relationships, and it hits with the greatest of force.”
“This song was the last one I decided to put on the album,” James shares. “I had all the other music pretty much ready, and I had this song floating around. And I was like, oh this album needs an indie rock banger. So I sent it off to Ziv Shalev, who played guitar on ‘Gopher Gold’ and all the other rock tunes, and when I got it back, it just immediately clicked.”
If you want to let out a nice scream, lend your ears to James, who “aims celebrate the uniqueness of the individual human spirit, challenge societal and sexual norms, and encapsulate time and world mood through music and art.”
Find this and more exciting new music on our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown Playlist on Spotify.
Emma Page, a recent Journalism graduate of The George Washington University, possesses a passion for music journalism and storytelling in all its forms. Originally from Baltimore, MD, when she is not writing, she can be found at a local concert or making music of her own.
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