Single Review: Player by Ric Laurance
By Vince Leigh (Pseudo Echo, John Farnham, Tina Arena)
Player is the latest single for Sydney-based music artist Ric Laurance, a smooth-sounding R&B track that incorporates electro and modern funk and adds a playful pop sheen to it all. As well as releasing a series of singles, Ric has also written for and produced a number of local and international artists.
Perth-born Ric is an all-arounder, a singer-songwriter, producer, sound engineer and entrepreneur. As he says about his new release, ‘Player was written and produced as a tribute to the 1920s. The song alludes to the era’s class, elegance, and style with a modern twist.’
Ric has been releasing records since 2018, fine-tuning his writing and production style. When asked about his influences, Ric refers to two giants of the R&B pop world. ‘Dr Dre and Timbaland were (and still are) my early influences. I remember listening carefully to how they produced their records, and as a music producer I figured out that they have their own sonic signature sound, which helped me find my own signature sound.’
The track has immediate appeal, with its self-assured vocal performance and subtle melodic and production hooks, including the surprise addition of a lute which adds a curious layer of difference to the pop track.
But Ric’s music represents more than just a desire to write and produce great R&B pop music. ‘Another factor I would like to mention is mental health which is also a silent factor in the creative arts. As many young individuals have difficulties with learning and being able to find the right way to express their thoughts and imagination. Music for me was a must go to as the only thing I really understood was creative sounds and I enjoyed listening as I had an artistic nature.’ Ric’s history is not only reflected in his music but his ambitions. ‘I worked hard when I left school in year eleven, working multiple jobs and always putting my money towards better equipment and programs. I enrolled into university when I was twenty-one as a mature age student to further my knowledge and capabilities to be able to complete entire song concepts. One of my all-time dreams is to create a music facility where young troubled kids have a place to go to record music.’
Player will undoubtedly enable Ric to realise his dreams, as well enhance his blossoming profile on the local and global music scene.
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