Rafael Montecruz – “Under The Cherry Tree” Feat. Abraham Armell

Rafael Montecruz – “Under The Cherry Tree” Feat. Abraham Armell – Single Review

If you’ve heard at least one tune by this pairing of talents, then it shouldn’t surprise you in the least to hear me praise their latest collaboration.  When I heard their song “Shadow” earlier this year back in April, I could hear they were onto something significantly special, and believe me when I tell ya, when they popped back onto my playlist with a brand-new single, I was freakin’ stoked to see they continued to make music together.  Sometimes you run into folks that simply belong with each other.  Rafael and Abraham share a magic that sounds entirely like two artists that complement each other.  I’ll admit, I should be surprised that I enjoy a tune like “Under The Cherry Tree” as much as I do when I can practically see the two-step dance moves that would come along with it…but hey, why should I be any less helpless when it comes to resisting this single than any of YOU would be?  I am human after all.

Yup.  I mean, there’s absolutely nothing that’s not to love about “Under The Cherry Tree” if you ask me.  I love the quaint beginning it has, with Abraham introducing the name of the song with acoustic guitar strings are gently plucked in behind him.  It’s an interesting beginning when you think about it…not many songs actually start out like that.  Like, if you were going to read a story, you’d likely announce the title before you read a single word – but how many songs can you think of where the artist or band takes a moment to announce the title before singing the rest?  It’s got this like…oddly cute charm to it.  It’s not a forced moment, it’s not insincere…it’s a humble, sweet, and ultimately unique introduction to “Under The Cherry Tree.”  And it works!  I know this approach got my attention right away, and for it to come with such a delicate sound…it seemed like the right way to get us all listening.  As Rafael keeps the music subtle with the strum of a guitar as Abraham began to sing, I thought to myself, okay – this works.

Now…obviously that’s not me ranting and raving about something, so you can see I continue to remain as objective as ever…but just hang on, we’ll get to that.  Clearly there’s a difference between creating something that ‘works’ and something that we can’t live without…and I understand that.  We can debate the merits of the verses on “Under The Cherry Tree,” and I’m sure we could come to different conclusions…possibly.  To me, what Rafael and Abraham have got here is a classic case of one part needs the other…so it might take you a spin or two like it did for me to fully grasp how effective both the main pieces of this song really are.  Honestly, when you hear how perfectly these two raise the stakes with every opportunity, it’s nothing short of impressive.  You’ve got that earnest, humble intro.  Then they slide right into a low-key energy and melody that builds on where it all began.  Then the chorus hits…

…and you’re like, OMG – THAT is what we’re doing here?

Trust me when I tell you folks, your ears completely know when a song has gone from good to great, and that’s exactly what you’ll hear as this duo shifts into the chorus.  If you were resistant to that point, then I wish you the best of luck, because once you get to the chorus, you’ll be permanently hooked on this single and there’s no going back from there.  There was life before the chorus, and then there was life after the chorus, and those are two entirely different things.  Everything snaps together brilliantly as these two shift into the main hooks of “Under The Cherry Tree,” and you can’t help but admire how cleverly this pair of talents designed this song to make a maximum impact on everyone listening.  From that extremely gentle opening, to the softness of the verses to follow, to the immaculate sparkle and shine of the chorus that practically comes out of nowhere when you first hear it…I mean…this song is SPECIAL y’all.  Through the details of memories, nostalgia, thoughts, feelings and emotions, “Under The Cherry Tree” is powerfully relatable…it takes you right back to those first days you fell in love and the pure magic those moments possessed.  It’s equally relatable in how the tale told in this story weaves its way through uncertainty & redemption…I think we can all relate to the ups and downs of a relationship, wondering if we can rekindle the magic from the time we first met the ones we love, and for those of us that have managed to overcome all of that and find our way through, it’s as relatable for how amazing life & love can be when you reach the other side of anxiety to a calm serenity that means everything to everyone involved.  “And you stay with me, under the cherry tree,” is a beautifully metaphorical lyric – sure it can refer to a physical space, but it’s also like pleading with your loved one to remain in the same mindset you had…hoping that they’ll continue to be as locked into the moment as when you were there, and letting that version of you be what dictates your future ahead.  I like to think successful couples out there would get that…in fact, I think that’s how you become one…you never lose sight on what it was that made you fall in love at the very start, and you carry that treasured memory in your heart from that day forward for the rest of time like it’s still every bit as fresh as yesterday.  You start singing along with this single before that first spin is even finished, and pushing repeat is a genuine given in a case like this.

Couldn’t have done it better than they did, in my opinion.  Abraham’s vocals are freakin’ fantastic, and the production of the music from Rafael is spot-on once again.  Whether it’s the music or what’s happening on the microphone, you’ll appreciate how much each element contributes to the emotion and expressive melody on “Under The Cherry Tree.”  For a spin on the soft side of Pop, I can fully vouch for how addictive this track becomes so quickly, and credit where credit is due, it’s absolutely because this pairing of talents bring out the best in each other.  Lyrically, it’s aces, and that’s another important achievement here.  Being Pop music, which can often be dragged and tagged by sounding pretentious or insincere…this duo proves that when Pop is done right, it’s still one of the most authentically moving styles of sound we’ve ever heard.  A song like “Under The Cherry Tree” speaks just as much to the mind as it does to the heart, and when you hear a combination like that in action, you can’t help but feel like you’ve found something unforgettably special, and you truly never want that moment to end.  So don’t let it!  That’s the message they’re beaming out on this stunning new single.  Hold onto the love you find with both hands firmly, and make sure to remember the value of how special it truly is, every single day.

Find out more about Rafael Montecruz at his official website at:  https://montecruzmusic.com

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