One To Watch: Rupert Stroud - GigslutzGigslutz

You would think that being likened to Richard Ashcroft – with a swirl of Nick Cave, a splash of Jim Morrison and a sprinkle of Elbow – would be enough to drive any youthful ego into oblivion… Rupert Stroud however, with his hounding acoustic rock, has lightly set the legendary comparisons on his chin, and modestly propelled himself forward with sparkling new track ‘Morning Light’.

Already receiving an enormous amount of praise from XFM, NME and everybody’s favourite X-Factor host, Dermot O’Leary, Stroud is finally starting to gain the recognition he deserves. Quickly becoming a fan favourite, he has now been rightly dubbed as one of Yorkshire’s hottest young artists and has been working on material with Cribs producer Will Jackson.

The latest offering – showcasing the powerful energy radiating from Stroud – is ‘Morning Light’; the first track to surface from the new album, perfectly foreshadowing what fans can expect to discover from the record.

Passion oozes from ‘Morning Light’ the moment the first chord is struck. Stroud’s acoustic guitar rapidly builds tension, setting up the sudden explosion of his fantastic vocal performance – “said I’ll take good care of you/said I’ll be your saviour/some days I find it hard/to stay true forever”. Although you can plainly hear the subtle hints of Morrison and Elbow ebbing through ‘Morning Light’, there’s no denying that Stroud’s sound is completely and utterly individual.

‘Never Back Down’ is another prominent, stand-out track from Stroud that highlights a slightly deeper side to the strong-hearted music man. Much like ‘Morning Light’, ‘Never Back Down’ shoots out sophisticated power, due to the steady drum and favoured acoustic guitar.

Rupert Stroud’s music itself is a masterpiece of raw enthusiasm; dowsing the listener in crashing waves of nostalgia. The emotion of Stroud bubbles under the surface of his songs, creating truly spectacular, defining moments. So, if the phenomenal ‘Morning Light’ is anything to go by, the album is sure to be stunning and it won’t be long before this local Yorkshire lad is thrust into the limelight.

‘Morning Light’ is out on 14th April, via Xidus Music.

Ella Scott