Review: Rozie Ramati´s "Blank page"
- by Martín Cacho
- in Reviews
Ramati is an artist who, in just two years, has gathered over 100k monthly listeners on Spotify. Remarkably, she's achieved this without relying heavily on collaborations, with only 9 singles under her belt. What's more intriguing is her minimalist online presence—no artist website to boast of, just a modest footprint on Tumblr and Twitter. It's evident she isn't pouring resources into heavy marketing campaigns. This serves as a testament to the belief that an artist's true success lies in their raw talent, and Ramati is living proof of that.
Her latest single, "Blank page," showcases her vocal prowess in stunning fashion. The track features beautiful voice themes that culminate in prolonged notes adorned with high-speed vibratos. Ramati's voice is not only accurate and skillful but also soft, exuding a vintage charm that transports listeners to another era. And the production? It's nothing short of superb, seamlessly blending gorgeous violins with cutting-edge drum machines.
The composition style and pace of Ramati's voice hint at a touch of psychedelia, it evokes in me comparisons to folks like Bells Atlas. Yet, there's a contemporary edge to her music, with subtle nods to the latest pop tendencies and Bjorkian voice harmonizations. Some fans even claim to detect traces of Amy Winehouse's influence in her sound.
Despite the complexity of the production, it never overshadows Ramati's remarkable voice. Each element finds its place, serving to complement rather than compete with her vocals. It's a delicate balance that speaks volumes about her artistry and the meticulous attention to detail in her craft.
When you listen to her publications in order it is clear a fast evolution in her compositional styles and a constant refinement in her music production, which I insist, is impressive considering the short amount of time.
The strong point in many of her compositions is her voice, and the smart use of acoustic instruments within synthetic pop environments. But it's her use of violins that truly elevates her work, often echoing and reinforcing the vocal melodies. Her typical structure unfolds with Ramati introducing the main theme, accompanied by acoustic instruments and soft synths, creating a richly textured polyphonic environment. When the verse begins, the bassline and the rhythmic pulse of drum machines make their presence felt, infusing the mix with an unmistakable "pop" sensibility, rounding out the experience. The chorus or main theme occasionally repeats throughout the song, but without the voice; only the strings perform it, while other drum machine sounds reframe the theme to give it a different feel. Great!
This artist will be enjoyable to anybody, but especially to pop listeners who want a breath of fresh air.
