There’s a strong solemn element in Terry Blade’s music. Somehow, he manages to grab words, lay them over poignant music matter and create the most meaningful of pieces. ‘Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper’ doubles down on that premise, packing its challenging lyricism with meaningful themes and references to Blade’s own origins. Channelling authentic and measured Americana influences, the Chicago-based singer and songwriter seeks to reiterate how the genre is part of Black culture itself, especially in its primary form.
Diving into ‘Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper’, the listener will find ten tracks of mellow, celebrative material: recalling past memories and inner reflection, the songs use sparse instrumentation – especially the many shapes of an acoustic guitar, small percussions – to craft the ideal framework for Blade’s vocals. Vocals that feel immense, hypnotising and cathartic, as if Terry was looking to connect to a deeper, hidden entity.
Emerging from Chicago, Terry Blade is a multi-genre artist with a two-time Gold Medal Award of Excellence from the Global Music Awards. As a black queer artist, his musical output reflects his unique experiences and has drawn comparisons to artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Tracy Chapman, and Isaac Hayes. In a world where art and creativity seem to have lost their drive and meaning, Blade is a welcome reminder of their breaking force.
Recommended! Discover ‘Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper’ on Spotify:
