Philip La Rosa takes us on a dreamy, alt-pop trip down memory lane with ‘Used To Be Young’
Listening to this evokes nostalgia and goosebumps, the good kinds. When reflecting in hindsight, looking at pictures from our past, and seeing who we are now always evoke complex emotions. There’s a tinge of sadness, surprise and eventually acceptance.
It’s these sacred spaces between our past and present that Philip explores in this rendition of Miley Cyrus’s ‘Used To Be Young’. Soothing synths, soft beats, uptuned guitar harmonies and Philip’s evocative vocals and relatable lyrics make for a groovy, memorable listen as compared to Miley’s contemporary pop composition. Like if Elton John collaborated with Cigarettes After Sex.
The track opens with ethereal organ atmospherics that captivate and lead into the opening verse. Philip’s soft, sincere vocal delivery soothes the hurt and has you leaning in, listening intently. His vocal delivery is remarkably balanced, nonchalant yet able to convey an alluring sentiment.
Musically, ‘Used To Be Young’ flows at a leisurely tempo. Recorded and produced alongside Rosa’s longtime collaborator Nic Rollo, the song captures the vulnerability of the original but in soft, soothing tones. The synths never overwhelm but rather float around languidly. Blues guitar tones blend into Rosa’s high-pitched vocals, flowing onto soft muted beats.
On repeated listens, you realize that it’s Philip’s tender vocals that are the star of this cover. He displays an admirable range and strength and softness. We love what we’re hearing from this warm-hearted pop vocalist and look forward to hearing his other original tracks!
