Roman Lewis: “Heartbreak (for now)” EP
You know when you get caught up in an Instagram black hole at 3am on a Tuesday just to waste away precious sleeping hours? And all you end up finding is photos of some rando in the Bahamas in 2011?
Well folks, this particular Instagram black hole I found myself in a few weeks ago turned out to be a blessing! It started when I was 57 weeks into the Instagram feed of someone on my explore page, and then I jumped to a random account and then another… and 45 minutes later, I was mesmerized by Roman Lewis. This lil’ Brit babe has recently dropped his EP “Heartbreak (for now)” and it’s got us swooning and dancing and absolutely obsessed.
Make sure to check out our fave tracks “Ways” + “Rose” and his upcoming US tour dates!
photo by Hollie Fernando
~ press release january 2019 ~
In a world inundated with singer-songwriters, the difficulties of establishing oneself as an artist are entirely daunting. Conversely, British singer/songwriter Roman Lewis embraces ephemeral youth with animated drive and unambiguous passion. The London-based artist even draws inspiration from 18th Century poetry, which is quite the anomaly for someone just 17-years old.
Following a handful of well-received 2018 singles, Lewis revealed his debut EP, Heartbreak (for now) on January 25th via Bright Antenna Records. The 7-track compilation delivers the essence of adolescence pathos, intense self-examination, and the exasperating ordeals of the transitions to adulthood.
Opening the Heartbreak (for now) EP is “Ways”—a wildly ambitious guitar-plucking acoustic number brimming with kinetic energy and spunk. “There are four ways to look at life - Love, lust, addiction, strife” is the lyrical gambit here as Lewis’ vocals extend to the likes of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Jeff Buckley. Lewis’ introspective tune questions the enigmatic aspects of life with wit and tenacity. The “Ways” music video was directed by Matt Robertson (Wiz Khalifa, Nick Jonas, Charlie Puth and many more) and was filmed in front of a green screen and inspired by one of Lewis' favorite videos, "Once In A Lifetime" by the Talking Heads.
“I’m A Fool For You” shares the same frenetic vitality of the Heartbreak (for now) EP’s opener. Channeling yesteryear’s Britpop and modern UK indie rock, Lewis steers this one with tight acoustic guitar work and lyricism divulging into the hazards of unrequited love. In spite of his themes, Lewis transmits a jocular mood until the realization of how you’re actually falling for someone is setting in at an alarming rate.
On "Rose," Lewis pens an ode to heartbreak and pain – both deeply instilled within his astute storytelling and emotive vocals. Inspired by William Blake's 1794 poem "A Poison Tree" where the narrator likens his anger to a tree that he ‘watered’ with fear and resentment, Lewis' "Rose" is a song about wanting to go back to the beginning after things have soured in a relationship. Beginning with a sparse arrangement of guitars and drums, there is a quiet intensity to the track that slowly bubbles to the surface as it progresses, eventually building into a shout.
The eponymous title-track is a slow burner performing as a cautionary tale of love. “Heartbreak”features the distinguished lyric, “Heartbreak is but another word for inspiration.” With love once again falling at the wayside, one must pick up the pieces, but with the intent of arranging those pieces differently. Lewis performs “Heartbreak” in a gentle manner, staying on an even yet alluring sonic progression. Suddenly, he seamlessly molds the song into another expressive outpour of the harrowing effects of love and living beyond the heartbreak.
“Don’t Wait Up For Me” has Lewis starting out with a personal confession of a past relationship. With gruff vocals exhibiting substantial versatility, the Londoner strums along to his acoustic guitar in a placid manner. His five-minute sonic odyssey elicits deep reflection and sincerity. In the final stretch of the song, the journey takes a raucous shift with Lewis vehemently playing his guitar and breaking into an explosive growl.
The penultimate track off Heartbreak (for now) EP is the lovely “Just A Woman.” On the surface, it’s a simple ballad with a serene melody resulting in a wistful effort. Looking under the microscope, it offers much more perceptible depth and profound intricacies. “Just A Woman” is an unaffected endeavor, emphasizing Lewis’ emotionally charged vocals with utter composure from start to end. With a discernible vocal equating to Jeff Buckley, Lewis pines for the woman, whom he recalls telling, “…it's been a year, But I'd spend a million more with you my dear.” Her retort is “you're not thinking clear, You know how feelings disappear,” igniting the notion that love is far more complex than any of us can truly comprehend.
The finale of the EP is delivered in the form of "Midnight In Paris," a beautiful paean to the French capital that captures the romance of the city. It’s a track that mourns on love and all the yearning associated with it. Lewis has cited the music of Bon Iver, Joni Mitchell, and Bright Eyes as well as returning to Paris time and time again, triggered the inspiration behind the song. The final verse of “Midnight In Paris” is crooned by Lewis in French, an attractive language often synonymous to love, romance, and enchantment to those living outside the city.
Unbound by genre, Roman Lewis’ Heartbreak (for now) EP captures the vulnerable spirit of the singer-songwriter with an assortment of sounds culminating in a salient introductory album.