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As I Rise
Folk · 2021

As I Rise

High-tenor indie folk that transforms a gospel classic into a sun-drenched secular prayer. Warm acoustic strums and organ swells for a hopeful morning.

August 19, 2021 · Kill Rock Stars

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As I Rise is a masterclass in the cosmic California sound that Eric D. Johnson has perfected over two decades. While technically a cover of a Staple Singers classic, Fruit Bats strips away the heavy gospel weight and replaces it with a shimmering, sun-drenched optimism that feels entirely contemporary. The track is built around a persistent, rhythmic acoustic guitar figure that feels like a heartbeat, providing a steady foundation for Johnson’s signature high-tenor vocals to soar. It is a song about ascension, both literal and spiritual, captured in a production style that favors analog warmth and spaciousness.

Moments Worth Listening For
The moment the organ enters, adding a layer of church-pew warmth to the indie-folk arrangement.
Eric D. Johnson's voice shifting into a crystalline falsetto during the final refrain, mimicking the act of rising.
The steady, metronomic acoustic guitar rhythm that provides a grounded contrast to the ethereal vocal layers.

How does As I Rise sound next to the rest of Fruit Bats's catalogue?

Sunrise+4.0σ

Sunrise saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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