Los Angeles-based independent singer and songwriter Richard Berger just released Retrovert, his second full-length after a successful run of singles and EPs over the last few years. On Retrovert, Richard relies on introspection and reflection, carefully building sounds and ideas that swirl around what’s happening inside.
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With a wide variety of influences that cover from Fleetwood Mac and Steely Dan all the way up to Still Woozy and The Internet, Richard uses all of this experience to craft songs and melodies that feel unique and interesting. On Retrovert, we get to see Richard Berger exploring his experimental side in both lyrics as well as the production. Across the twelve tracks, we get to hear Richard at his finest when it comes to world-building atmospherics. The sounds that we got on this album are incredibly interesting and cohesive, giving it a sense of unity that works really well.
It’s a much more intimate and slower album that what we’ve heard from Richard in the past, and this intimacy is an integral part of this experience. The raw honesty present in the lyrical content of Retrovert is masterful, going from thematic such as complexities within a long term, loving relationship to mental health and climate change. The writing on this album is so rich and detail-oriented, it does sound like someone talking to their best friend about their deepest emotions. And, thankfully, the production is just as detailed and manages to match this very easily.
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Sonically there are so many different influences and corners that Richard borrows from, and yet everything clicks together. There is a somewhat jazz and oldschool blues inspirations that permeate the entire body of work, and they flow alongside the psychedelia that comes from the keyboards and synths and low-register vocals and guitars very well. The stunning track “Time” being the primary example of this, definitely one of the absolute highlights of the album. A song written about living your life and enjoying the moments that will never happen again, carefully curated around atmospheric melodies and nuance.
Retrovert stands out as Richard’s most intricate project to date, dealing with complexities in both sound and lyrics always with a hopeful tone and great melodies. The dreaminess that comes on tracks like “My Love” and “What Does It Have to Take So Long” add depth to the messages of love and self-care present on the album. Retrovert is an album unlike most, one that fleshes itself out right in front of you and adds so much to itself. Going from jazz to Real Estate-like indie rock melodies in a split second, Richard Berger really rose to the occasion as an artist, songwriter and performer on this record.
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The raw honesty present in the lyrical content of “Retrovert” by Richard Berger is masterful, going from thematic such as complexities within a long term, loving relationship to mental health and climate change.
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— Jpgchief (@Jpgchief) May 18, 2024
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the center didn’t hold