“Walk on Water” single by Tiny World

2019 produced some really interesting, guitar-powered adult contemporary pop/rock, and if you were following the underground close to the conclusion of the year, there’s a good chance you heard a little of Tiny World’s eponymous debut album, and specifically its star single “Walk on Water.” In “Walk on Water,” Tiny World submit themselves to audiences as an act more focused on tonality than they are muscularity, with robust melodies leading the way instead of booming basslines and overindulgent sonic frills that have become all too common in pop music nowadays. Their efforts prove to be valiant in this track, as they produce what is perhaps best described as one of the more adept hybrids of old school folk/rock and modern adult contemporary music available to listeners in 2020.

This mix makes the flow of the music so much smoother than it likely would have been otherwise, tying together the jagged edges of a melody without ever disturbing the natural harmonies coming from the strings and vocals. The seamless feel of “Walk on Water” definitely makes the song sound as passionate as a live performance would, and if my gut is right, it was probably designed with appealing to a crowded concert hall full of people in mind. Tiny World have the essence of an old troubadour’s repertoire in the tracklist of their first album, and with regards to embodying the freewheeling spirit of the ancient folk music traditions too many artists have abandoned, “Walk on Water” might be the best example of their showing respect for the stylistic forerunners that preceded them.

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The bass part in this track is seemingly tucked beneath the drums rather neatly, but it still makes a noticeable impression on the chemistry between the vocals and the other elements in the instrumentation. The equalization on the bottom-end of this song is heavily scooped, as one would expect to hear in a much more metallic single than this one is, but this doesn’t dismantle the fluidity of the harmonies up top at all – the exact opposite, actually. By scooping out the bass tones here, it makes the verses so much more physical and in-sync with the lead guitar, allowing for us to embrace the surreal textures of the instrumentation while never losing sight of the lyrical narrative being presented by the chilling voice beneath the fuzz.

Tiny World came out of total obscurity in 2019 to become one of the more intriguing acts in their scene, and after listening to this latest single from their moniker, I’m very eager to hear what they’re going to develop in the studio next. They’re in a very experimental phase of their sound, but with a bit more compositional discipline and harmonies as powerful as those heard in “Walk on Water,” they’re going to get all of the fame and fortune they so richly deserve. There aren’t very many folk or adult contemporary groups straddling the line between genres with as much ease as these two players are, but even if there were, their sound would still stand out as a rare treat audiences should seek out this month.

Mindy McCall

The music of TINY WORLD has been heard all over the world due to the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Records. Learn more – https://musikandfilm.com