‘Time Ran Out’ is the debut single for Gusty, the latest project for designer and creative director Justin Smith, who’s been at the forefront of such bands as The Inside. Recently signed to Dowd Records, the artist has a deep love of hip-hop, indie, and British music, and has been writing his own material in anticipation of finding the perfect collaborator. That he has, in the form of Jon Sortland – a name regular readers of EP will no doubt be familiar with by now – of The Shins, and TLA. Sortland is a longtime friend of Smith’s, and was enlisted to record and produce the single.
Sortland took the material written in Gusty’s Portland, Oregon studio, and imbued it with the production aesthetic of his drumming career – absolutely perfect for the rhythm-driven sound Gusty had in mind.
‘Time Ran Out’ opens in acapella, part Beach Boys, part Beatles, part T Rex, part Oasis. Slowly, gently, instrumentals are added, never being allowed to overwhelm the transcendent, ethereal, captivating vocals.
The track was inspired by Gusty’s vocal warm ups during their demo recording sessions, and marks the perfect blend of the two artists’ creative styles. Gusty pulls out every emotion from our very souls, while Sortland adds a balance to it that hearkens back to California sunshine. It’s the perfect antidote to the cold, wet, and miserable days we’re having here in London.
It’s worth also listening to ‘Unmade Bed’, the B-side to ‘Time Ran Out’, both of which have been released on 5″ vinyl last month. The two songs are a precursor to Gusty’s debut full length, which he anticipates will be released next summer.
Additionally, Sortland has been busy on his own accord, with The Shins dropping a surprise single, ‘The Great Divide’, just a few days ago. You can check it out here.
Find out more about Gusty and his music online on Instagram, Facebook, and his Official Website. Listen to ‘Time Ran Out’, and B-side ‘Unmade Bed’, below. Let us know what you think!
