Magnus Rosell’s Major of Roses project’s new release entitled “But Not Now” is his most accessible song yet in some respects. The idiosyncratic nature of his writing prevents Rosell from ever following a straight A-B-C course in his work, but sparks fly off this new single as Rosell weaves its disparate strands into an unified whole as only he can. It’s the further development of an artistic sensibility first flowering with his 2018 debut and that collection’s far-reaching vision signaled Major of Roses’ willingness to break across new borders.
He never settles for being any one thing. Major of Roses has adopted a sort of alternative singer/songwriter persona with this piece and tempers any tendencies towards bombast. Listeners can essentially boil down to song to guitar, drums, and ghostly organ accompaniment contributing intermittent color. If there’s one dominant instrument, it’s guitar, but anyone hoping to hear any sort of six-string pyrotechnics will be discouraged by the song’s frequent near-folkie strum.
He achieves a physical and memorable sound though. The production of Rosell’s guitar is among the single’s high points as the limited doubling, or layering, of the song adds a surprising amount of musical flair. There’s a slightly raucous air descending over the proceedings once listeners are deeper into the song though Major of Roses never runs the arrangement off the rails. It’s the suggestion of possible chaos alone that gives “But Now Now” much of its drama.
Rosell builds several starts and stops into the song’s overall trajectory and they unfold with patience and consideration. Major of Roses never rushes a second of the performance. It has a deliberate pace and retains enough of a similarity to its likely embryonic form that attentive listeners will hear its origins.
It helps enhance the song’s intimacy. There’s a curious closeness that the song latches onto without any sort of gimmickry – we feel like we’re perhaps hearing something we shouldn’t, a spontaneous utterance that’s nonetheless perfectly tempered. The intimacy doesn’t inspire embarrassment; instead, Major of Roses will draw listeners deeper in and help the song stand out even more.
Major of Roses’ has found an identifiable sound capable carrying its songwriting to the masses. It isn’t anything we haven’t heard before, in one form or another, but Magnus Rosell proves himself skillful at pouring old wine into new bottles.. He has sharp songwriting instincts as well evidenced by the track’s length, among other qualities. Rosell doesn’t waste listener’s time with unnecessary sideshows and you won’t hear a single note of self-indulgence.
Magnus Rosell’s art came across as remarkably complete upon emergence and songs such as this further deepening his impact. We do not hear him necessarily broaching new ground but, instead, refining the diversity that’s distinguished him from the beginning. Major of Roses produces complete and polished performances heavy with musical value and meaning, yet fleet-footed all the while. “But Not Now” says something we’ve heard before, but says it in a way all its own and should encourage listeners to keep coming back for more.
Trace Whittaker
