Vincent Mason, a favorite at RootsnRevelry, has once again captured the spotlight with his debut EP, Can’t Just Be Me. RootsnRevelry is dedicated to showcasing the best up-and-coming singer-songwriters in the industry, which is why Mason caught our eye from the beginning. His latest EP enhances his growing list of achievements, with Mason stepping into the role of Co-Producer.
All six tracks on the EP are co-written and co-produced by Mason, creating a project that is distinctly his own in both vision and voice.
Highlights
The album opens with the opptimistic May Be. Although undoubtedly country music at its essence, the song has a stylistic freshness to it. The fret-sliding melody gleams as light and catchy, it has a John Mayer-esque, or more fittingly, Jack Johnson approach to it. Mason, who often dwells in heartache, delivers something unexpected—a contagiously feel-good hook about a relationship that’s actually working out. The upbeat groove and layered vocals create a funky vibe as Mason hits the chorus:
Loving you may be the only thing I’m made for
Maybe these boots were made to get you on the dance floor
And that empty bench seat was always supposed to be yours
If I called it fate, would it be crazy?
‘Cause loving you may be
The sentiment does not last long, as Mason’s heart once again succumbs to turmoil in Hell is a Dance Floor. Hailed as the breakout single of the album, it details finding the ex-love of your life dancing with someone new, slowly falling for one another. The song is beautifully and poignantly written, creating a cinematic picture of betrayal within the mind’s eye. The slow acoustic guitar echoes the ambiance brought upon by the lyrics, as Mason draws from a relatable place of pain.
We’ve all been to that metaphorical Hell, and that’s a real type of hurtin’ I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
More Standout Tracks
Livin’ Proof is quintessential Mason, embodying the essence of heartbreak through a journey of lost love and “lost goodbyes”, with the protagonist seeking solace in a tomb of neon lights. The song stands out for its unique blend of groovy rhythms, cool vibes, and smooth, molasses-like flow. A haunting pedal steel captures the attention before floating us into the infectious drumbeat, all deliberate in showcasing Vincent Mason’s vocal swagger and charismatic delivery.
The title track, Can’t Just Be Me, emerges as a standout on the album. A somber yet urgent mood is set with Mason’s acoustic guitar. The moaning pedal steel once more borrows into our senses, painting a melancholic picture of hope and regret. Can’t Just Be Me is superbly written, heartfelt, and vulnerable, resembling a man’s descent into madness—an inner monologue with oneself as you contemplate letting go, knowing you inevitably should, but selfishly holding on out of hope. The song captures a man coming to grips with the harsh reality: “It might just be me still holding on.”
Tracklist
Writers in (parentheses)
1. May Be (Vincent Mason, Jared Scott, and Brett Truitt)
2. Hell is a Dance Floor (Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel)
3. Livin’ Proof (Vincent Mason, Forrest Finn, Joe Whelan, and Brett Truitt)
4. Take Too Much (Vincent Mason and Bobby Hambrick)
5. Can’t Just Be Me (Vincent Mason)
6. Really Don’t Love Me (Vincent Mason, Forrest Finn, and Jack Hummel)
Final Thoughts
Overall, Vincent Mason has crafted a distinct and unmistakable sound of clinically diagnosed ear worms (hip slang for good music). Each track on this EP is not only strongly written and relatable but also showcases exceptional musicianship and spot-on arrangements. As a debut project, Can’t Just Be Me hits all the right notes, blending lyrical vulnerability with themes of love, loss, regret, and the slow process of moving on. Whoever the muse is for Mason’s music, they’ve inspired a “Tear In Your Beer” deity. Mason undisputely defends his reigning title as the “Heartbreak Kid,” leaving listeners both enchanted and emotionally moved.
Album Release: May 24, 2024
Favorite Tracks: May Be, Can’t Just be Me
RootsnRevelry Grade:
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