Artist: Chris Bathgate
Song: “Bruises”
Album: The Significance of Peaches (May 13th, 2022)
Label: Quite Scientific
Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Folk
Michigan-based songwriter Chris Bathgate has been recording music under his own name since 2001 (previously he was part of a heavy metal band). Taking inspiration from his life experiences and the world around him, his songs are often stark and haunting, yet tempered by an unsubtle beauty.
As he gets ready to release his first album in six years, Bathgate has released a beautiful new single, “Bruises”. Featuring no guitar, the song is built around a parlor organ, with immaculate harmonies and a simple snapping beat. About the track, Bathgate has said:
“This song came from walking around downtown San Francisco on my commute to work at the time. I was often surrounded by people – some doing very well and some whose circumstances were dire. This would be enough, but mix it with all the other issues in the world and it gave me one of those, ‘what is wrong with us’, head-shaking moments. We know where we are, we know where we are headed. What would I say to the world about it all if I could? What’s the simplest way to say it?”
The song grows in power, escalating towards a cathartic release. It’s moving and hopeful, and simply a great song. Take a listen to it in our Check This 2022 Playlist (on Spotify or Apple).
The Indy Review 