For those familiar with the energetic pop-punk of State Champs, it may come as an enjoyable surprise to find out that their bass player, Ryan Scott Graham, is pursuing an acoustic solo project by the name of a Shakespeare quotation, Speak Low If You Speak Love.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0TDrghANy8&w=740&h=422]
The intro of ‘Knots’ is wistfully atmospheric, a melodic acoustic guitar riff played softly. Graham’s voice is equally as soft and emotively sings “you’re too far and I’m far too jealous”. The lyrics of ‘Knots’ are eloquent and honest in articulating the futility and yet the helpless appeal of chasing those out of our reach, and the mellow vocals of Graham build louder to singing emphatically “I reserve the right to change the ending this time”.
An impressive mixture of calm nostalgia and a sullen yearning for the past, ‘Knots’ is a brilliant song from Speak Low If You Speak Love and justifies the excitement for the imminent release of an album, Everything But What You Need, on March 31st.
Words by Ewan