Singles Spotlight:
Ari Lindo – “Simple”

Hello reader,

How are you today? If you haven’t checked out our recent Spotlights or Water Tower Sessions, please take the time to do so and come back here.

I’m happy to discuss another artist making some great music: Chicago songwriter Ari Lindo (they/them). Lindo, who may be best known in the DIY as a member of both Late Nite Laundry and The Devonns, released their indie-folk debut Cost of Giving in 2022. And recently, I was fortunate enough to hear the fantastic first single, “Simple,” and the rest of the songs from their newest album, For Much Longer. I really liked the album as a whole, and I think our listeners will dig it too. That being said, “Simple” stands out to me as arguably the best song on the album. It definitely stuck with me, and I knew it would be a great addition to the Singles Spotlight series on SWT. The album drops Friday, May 22nd. Check it out on Ari’s Bandcamp page starting on Friday.

From the album’s press release that sheds more light on Lindo and their work, “The new record follows their indie-folk debut album Cost of Giving from a few years ago, expanding their songwriting with intricate guitar lines and a jazzy rhythm section. While their debut album bridged samba sounds with indie-folk, the forthcoming record expands Lindo‘s sound with more rock and jazz influences while still keeping songwriting at the core. For Much Longer is still rooted in folk songwriting overall, and Ari is backed with some local heavy hitters, like Steven Rutledge on drums, Patrick Jasper on guitar, and Jake Gordon on bass.”

Let’s explore “Simple” a bit more before we turn it over to you, dear listener.  “Simple” begins with a gorgeous set of strings that forms a guitar-led melody that pairs well with solid drum work, keeping the pace grounded as it plays out and soars in the best ways. For some, if you close your ears, will you be in space or planted in the present plane?  Are you moving through time and space?  Lindo’s vocals join in, paired with a slowed-down melody which allows for a return, literally keeping it (more) simple. The refrain echoes this mindset and reiterates it well, serving as an appreciated reminder. There’s some great musicianship as Rutledge, Jasper, and Gordon are given musical space to play off each other. And they do a wonderful job of it, before the melody returns to earlier pacing and structure. I think you’ll enjoy this song, as it serves as a lovely introduction to Ari Lindo and their newest album.

Hit play and listen to the song, “Simple,” for yourself and tell us what you think:

The cover art for For Much Longer:

The track list for For Much Longer:

1. Sandalwood (2:33)
2. For Much Longer (2:15)
3. I Don’t Know (4:07)
4. Drift (3:13)
5. Simple (4:13)
6. More Than (2:51)
7. Clay (3:28)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com