Joe Bourdet’s latest single, “Call You Friend,” takes listeners on a nostalgic journey with its classic rock vibes and evocative sound. The song opens with enchanting guitar melodies that exude a timeless quality, immediately capturing the essence of the 70s rock era. As the vocals kick in, they transport listeners back to a time when rock music resonated with raw emotion and authenticity. The addition of lush backing vocals enhances the overall atmosphere, adding a harmonious layer to the composition.
“Call You Friend” holds a poignant backstory, as it was written in response to the untimely passing of two of Bourdet’s bandmates in the band Painted Hills. This emotional context infuses the track with a sense of urgency and depth. During the mixdown process, Bourdet made a creative decision to vari-speed the recording on his OTARI half-track tape machine. This effect slightly increases the tempo, lending the song an added sense of urgency while subtly pitching up the entire composition. As a result, the tom toms take on a particularly pleasing sound, adding to the unique character of the track.
The arrangement of “Call You Friend” underwent careful refinement, with Bourdet working tirelessly to create a spacious, guitar-centric style that allows ample room for the rhythm section to shine. Will Scott’s drumming and Bourdet’s picked bass, enhanced by a midrange-y DiMarzio pickup, provide a solid foundation for the song. Notably, the electric guitar undergoes additional processing through a Leslie spinning speaker, one of Bourdet’s favorite and frequently used guitar effects. This adds a touch of vintage charm to the overall sonic palette.