ROD SHAKE opens his new album “FREE” with “HOW TO BE ME”, a song that gives us a good introduction to the positive energy running through his music. His voice was one of the first things that caught our attention. It has a catchy quality and he knows how to make a chorus stay with you after the song ends. His backing vocals add another nice touch to the chorus and the melodies are easy to remember.
There is so much happening in the music. The sound design is impressive and the instrumentation gives the song a rich and full sound. The different parts work well together with little moments that keep things interesting. Rod’s work across the recording is worth mentioning. He writes, sings, plays the instruments and takes care of the production, mixing and mastering. That is a lot to take on and the finished track has a great sense of care behind it. This kind of artist is very hard to find these days, to be honest.
The lyrics are about being allowed to be yourself, even when other people are quick to judge or decide how you should live. It is a positive message and we love it. We all know how easy it is for people to have an opinion about someone else’s choices. Rod turns that idea into an encouraging song about self-respect and having the freedom to be who you are.
“HOW TO BE ME” is a strong opening for his new album and it made us want to hear what comes next. We really enjoyed the whole album and there is a lot here to spend time with, from the vocal hooks to the full arrangement. Rod has a voice and an energy that are easy to vibe with, and we think this album deserves a proper listen. We’ll leave the full album below so you can give it a spin too.
