Freemoor’s latest single, “Affliction,” is intense, emotionally fraught, and performed with just the right amount of bravura.
Freemoor, a Las Vegas-based artist, has managed to craft a blues-rock song that is both nostalgic and modern, which is a bit like saying my Aunt Doris’s Jell-O mold is both edible and terrifying. From the first pulse of the bass, the song grabs you, like an uninvited hug from a distant relative, and doesn’t let go. The percussion is relentless, the guitars wail with urgency, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in a sonic experience that feels like teetering on the edge of a dramatic life realization.
Lyrically, “Affliction” is an ode to those whose lives were both brilliant and tragic—Amy Winehouse, Marilyn Monroe—artists who burned brightly for a short time and who’s flame was snuffed out all too quickly. Freemoor doesn’t simply mourn them; he thrusts their struggles into a broader conversation about fame and mental health, turning the track into something more profound than a mere eulogy.
Then there’s Freemoor’s voice—smoky, soul-drenched, and insistent. He delivers each lyric as though his very life is at risk, and he wants his heart to keep beating. His tone swings between quiet reflection and outright defiance, drawing you in with each word and note.
Musically, “Affliction” walks the fine line between classic rock tone and contemporary blues flair. It’s engaging, immersive, and just when you think you have it figured out, it swerves to keep you engaged. The song refuses to be boxed in, choosing instead to spiral through crescendos and quiet, aching moments with the grace of someone who has known true loss and anguish.
At a time when music often feels airbrushed to oblivion, “Affliction” is refreshingly raw. Freemoor isn’t interested in making a song that fits neatly into a playlist between songs about tequila and ex-lovers—he’s making something that demands to be felt. He is finishing up his debut full-length LP and “Affliction” makes for one hell of an introduction – it’s a modern blues-rock classic. Freemoor is here to remind us that music is at its best when it’s messy, heartfelt, and just a little bit existential.
Mindy McCall
