HARGO
From the Rooftops
HARGO is a singer/songwriter and producer based in Joshua Tree, CA. He’s released two albums to critical acclaim under the HARGO name, and over a dozen in the Ambient/Meditation genre. He’s also a founding member of electronica duo FEATHERandDOT. His music is worldly and cinematic, drawing upon a host of instruments, scales and genres to take the listener to a higher place. It can be electronica and pop, but can also be barren and acoustic (as with the track “Flame of Love”). He’s definitely unique, here’s our review of “From the Rooftops.”
Track starts with a cool VO and a nice percussion pattern in the back. As the verse drops in, it’s a bit of an all start with HARGO’s voice, piano and great hand drum pattern as he spins a positive yarn about our potential here on earth. With the first chorus, albeit short, we get a host of those international flavors that have brought him acclaim as a producer and artist. Arabic scales, mouth harps - maybe even a digeridoo - it’s a full on Burning Man vibe. Then it busts into a hemiola style feel for the second verse. The worldly vibe lays low underneath his soaring alto as he expands on our potential as humans. With the second chorus, the feel tightens up and we’re back to that cool chord progression, but this time there’s a nice all-stop with the band towards the end, leaving just his voice and a piano in an gospel style. Third verse is grittier as the lyrics call for a positive uprising of the people - it’s like we’re in a new world pop church, and HARGO is the high priest - but it’s not fire and brimstone, it’s positivity and light, body movements and world beats. The track ends with a fade out of sorts, but it could go on for several more minutes - it’s a great jam. The world needs more positive songs like this.
Make sure you scroll down to go through his socials and get the full picture. He’s got a compelling story to tell and does so with a unique musical style. For those of you who’ve spent time in Joshua Tree and the American Southwest, you’ll see exactly why his art is so compelling. We look forward to what he’ll be doing next.