Artist: Rusty Reid Album: Head to Heart Genre: Americana, Folk Rock, Singer Songwriter Release Date: August 12th, 2024
Rusty Reid’s Head to Heart feels like a personal manifesto, wrapped in folk-country charm, and delivered with the reflective wisdom of a troubadour who’s been around long enough to offer genuine insight. With its remix released in 2024, this album presents a more polished sound, inviting listeners to engage with its philosophical depth while enjoying the enhanced clarity and smoothness of its production. The title track, “Head to Heart,” embodies the heart of this project—both musically and thematically.
The song opens with Rusty’s familiar folk-infused vocals, accompanied by delicate guitar work that immediately sets a contemplative tone. Lyrically, “Head to Heart” takes on a universal human journey, exploring the struggles we face in aligning intellect and emotion. Reid sings of life’s hardships—what he calls “the hard knocks school”—and the lengthy process of transforming those experiences into love and deeper self-awareness. The line “the longest journey is from head to heart” serves as both the song’s central theme and its philosophical crux. It’s a reminder that no amount of knowledge or worldly experience can match the depth of understanding found in love and compassion.
Reid’s ability to blend philosophical musings with relatable emotion gives the song its potency. The bridges reinforce the idea that without allowing love to flow freely, we remain stunted in our personal growth. This spiritual undertone elevates the song beyond a typical folk-country ballad, offering a reflective space for the listener to consider their own “head to heart” journey.
Musically, the remix shines with its layered instrumentation. Ronan Dempsey’s acoustic and electric guitars add richness, while Brandon Davis’ drums offer a steady, grounding rhythm. Reid’s vocals feel more polished and clear compared to previous versions, letting his message come through with renewed strength. There’s a distinct George Harrison vibe in the song’s structure and sentiment, particularly in how Reid grapples with spirituality and human flaws.
The album as a whole, of which this song is a central piece, serves as a “revolutionary manifesto.” Reid aims to inspire a revolution rooted in love—an idealistic but deeply needed message, especially in today’s fractured world. His call for sacrifice and change, for a world built on virtues like love, truth, and justice, is timely, making Head to Heart resonate beyond the musical sphere into the social and spiritual realms.
In a city like Seattle, known for its introspective and socially conscious artists, Reid’s work stands out for its depth and ambition. Head to Heart is not just an album; it’s a call to action, asking us to reconsider how we live, love, and relate to each other and the world.
For fans of folk, country, and indie-rock—especially those who appreciate thoughtful lyrics and philosophical themes—Head to Heart is worth the listen. Rusty Reid has crafted something special here, offering both a sonic experience and a contemplative journey that lingers long after the music fades.
Check them out on socials:
https://RustyReid.com
https://Facebook.com/RustyReidSongwriter
https://Twitter.com/RustyJunzi
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRa5UNE-YEx-XzxXYN7xCQ
https://www.facebook.com/RustyReidSongwriter
https://twitter.com/RustyJunzi
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nF30rOkQmQDkFji7aFmXB?si=89m9dTyhQj6rMROT_OKBTw
https://soundcloud.com/riopaso
https://rustyreid.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRa5UNE-YEx-XzxXYN7xCQ
https://www.instagram.com/rustyjunzi
“Head to Heart” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating DA DA DA - Best New MusicWe discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
Featured
News
Childish Gambino surprises us with Atavista, a polished re-release of his 2020 album 3.15.20. Gambino originally released the unfinished record during the Covid-19 pandemic as a rushed love letter to his apocalypse anxiety and to his fans. Needing a master and a mix, Gambino resurfaced the entire album and dropped it alongside a list of tour dates. Atavista is an intimate album that somehow maintains oodles of mystique and disconnectivity. The words to the songs are new, but the album’s sound isn’t anything that we haven’t heard from Gambino before.