Rook Monroe – Dandelion (Spotify)
“Rook Monroe's vocals abound with their own unique charm, and the musical structure of Californialand plunges headlong into the light atmosphere of Indie Pop. Piano sounds, acoustic guitar riffs and bass drums provide the basic rhythm of Rook Monroe songs.”
“Вокал Rook Monroe изобилует своим, неповторимым шармом, а музыкальная структура альбома Californialand окунает с головой в лёгкую атмосферу Indie Pop. Звуки пиано, рифы акустические гитары и барабаны с басом обеспечивают основной ритм песен Rook Monroe.”
-Nagamag.com
"Dandelion is about not letting your dreams die. Not being afraid to fly. Leaving your baggage on the ground and letting life take you where it will." - Rook
Rook Monroe's debut EP, Californialand, and its titular single, set the stage for the narrative arc of a rolling stone leaving a place he must leave in the past, to find a destination he can't define. Californialand finds Rook at an intersection of confidence and confusion, as much concerned with leaving lies behind as with heading towards one.
Produced with his good friends Trackside (Selena Gomez, BabyJake, Khamari), the production duo with whom he built his nostalgic sonic identity, the self-written project was crafted in LA as part of a yearlong process of musical discovery. The closing track Say Goodbye To My Children was created with super producer Brendan O'Brien (Grammy Producer of the Year, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan), who played a great role in helping find the overall sound.
Rook's first three singles garnered immediate love with editorial placement on Spotify's New Music Friday and Fresh Finds, Tidal's Pop: Rising, and Apple Music's Wake Me Up. A successful songwriter in his own right, having penned Rihanna's critically acclaimed 'Desperado' - and more singles for artists ranging wide, from Jeremih to The Chainsmokers - he summons all his influences into a rock influenced package for his passion project.
Reviewed by Nagamag on January 14, 2021