NYC Scene Report – Rose of The World, Country Girl, & Johnny Burgos

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Rose of The World debuting with a sequel, Country Girl giving us a “miracle,” and Johnny Burgos with a soulful “Look At You.”

* How do you debut with a sequel?

It sounds impossible since your debut is the first thing you do, but in the case of NYC-based post-hardcore band Rose of The World, history unlocks this mystery.

Rose of The World features ex-Quarrels frontman Cory Best on vocals, and he explained the inspiration for his new band’s debut single, “Amen2,” saying, “‘Amen2’ was written as a sequel to my old band Quarrels’ song ‘Amen.’ The first line of ‘Amen2’ – Destiny, smile on me – is the chorus of ‘Amen.’ After years of reflection, I realized that it may be vain to ask for anything at all … or is the asking itself part of fate, too?”

Best continued, adding, “This is a song about dark contemplation, depression, addiction, apocalypse, fate, and finally finding a way out.”

That last part … that’s the part a lot of us need to hear.

* Brooklyn-based artist country girl – who is actually a city guy – recently released a new single that’s a straight up “miracle.”

Discussing “miracle” in a statement, country girl said, “Something about fall air and streetlights made this one show up. Quiet miracles that sound like bike tires on wet pavement, or a whisper in your sleep. Moments that change you inside out.”

Country girl’s wonderful breathy vocals add to the fall vibe of “miracle,” and he notes, “Despite the band name, all the music feels very in the city. It’s about finding moments of stillness and presence in the middle of an urban environment.”

Now that’s truly a “miracle.”

* Closing things out this week is a dose of classic soul courtesy of Johnny Burgos.

Burgos’ latest single is “Look at You,” and when he posted a clip of it on Instagram he wrote, “A Love Song for the true lovers out there with a retro soul backdrop for all the real souldies ballad heads. Thanks so much for all the love and support, whether you been riding with me, or just jumped on the train! We rockin' til the wheels fall off!!!”

I’ll admit I’m one of the folks who just recently jumped on the train a few months ago, but man oh man am I glad I did, because this is soul for the soul, and I can’t wait to hear more from Johnny Burgos.

For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.