Gabriel Garzón-Montano is thrilled to announce his return with “Someone,” the artist’s debut single for Jagjaguwar, in association with Stones Throw, and its accompanying video, directed by Anita Fontaine. As recently previewed in his stunning session for COLORS, “Someone” tells a story of two lovers in limbo trying to carve out a familiar and comforting dynamic in a time of transition. The track opens subtly, setting the stage for a more urgent message to Garzón-Montano’s former lover in the chorus: “I needed you / I don’t know what to do / You took your loving from me / And gave it to someone new.” Throughout, the intensity of the incident increases, building to a climactic bridge and eventual demise which symbolizes the end of this significant relationship.
“Someone” was composed and produced entirely by Garzón-Montano. He plays every instrument on the song himself with the intention and precision that, not only has become his signature, but wraps the listener in the emotion of the story.
“I wrote Someone about a relationship that had arrived at an in-between place characterized by a string of escapist dinners + love making rendezvous at my apartment,” says Garzón-Montano. “On one such occasion – the final encounter – my ex asked for some head and then dipped immediately afterward. It added to my heartbreak – a strange blend of resentment and admiration that I felt the need to elaborate on in order to leave my lol mark on the canon of desperate so called R&B ballads.”
Garzón-Montano’s ability to execute a wide range of musical styles is his secret weapon. In this life, a first-generation American, born in Brooklyn to French and Colombian parents, can marry 808s with 19th-century art song, and catch a million plays in a weekend. In this life, old school analog tape and autotuned, varispeeded androgyny live together in perfect harmony, and the algorithm meant to guide us to our next playlist is of no use. In this life, big brujo energy means blunts and 3 inch heels; it means Apollonia’s hands around you from the back of that motorcycle; it means nueva cancion, and reggaeton; it means the rabid, joyful individualism of funk – of oneness – of the one. “Someone” champions this energy.
Watch Video For “Someone” –
“Someone” follows 2017’s Jardin, Garzón-Montano’s acclaimed debut full-length melding classical and folkloric instruments with rnb, hip-hop, and cumbia, and 2014’s Bishouné: Alma Del Huila, the critically-lauded, self-produced EP that put Garzón-Montano on the map, its tracks serving as sample fodder for a handful of popular music’s most iconic artists. Since 2017, Garzón-Montano has been splitting his time between Colombia and Brooklyn when not touring, and is hard at work on new music. Expect more news from Garzón-Montano in the coming weeks.
Purchase/Stream “Someone” –
Photo credit: Jack McKain
Watch Gabriel Garzón-Montano’s COLORS Session –
