Valentine’s Day came early in the new single “l-o-v-e” from bedroom-pop artist Rocco. Based in LA, the 19-year-old began making waves online through his sketch comedy on TikTok. But unbeknownst to his followers, music was already a longtime passion that dated back to his middle school days, making SoundCloud tracks alongside his friends in his basement. Soon after gaining traction through social media, he dedicated full-time to music just shy of three years ago. With only a few singles under his name, “l-o-v-e” perfectly portrays the adolescent daze that comes from first love.
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Much like his other songs, Rocco recorded his latest single in his own bedroom studio at home. More than most self-professed “bedroom-pop” musicians, the DIY quality is evident from the start of loud and thumping drums. At first, the drums sound a little too loud for the song but instead bring value as a stark juxtaposition to Rocco’s drowsy vocals, which appropriately blend with the glossy guitars. The resulting effect is a familiar dreamy atmosphere that’s become a mainstay within the bedroom-pop stratosphere. For Rocco, he delivers in his apparent vulnerability and facility to express his authenticity in a relatively stripped-down track.
When speaking about the song’s creation, Rocco revealed the inspiration was his girlfriend. ”This song is a conversation. It’s a long proclamation of the love I hold for my girlfriend,” said Rocco, whose sentiment rings true when listening to the sincerity in his voice. As broad and simplistic as the lyrics are, Rocco sings directly from deep-seated feelings. Crooning through his swoon, his voice serves as a guide all the way to the end, where the twinkles bring the song around as something of a lullaby dedicated to one person only. Considering he went on tour two years after the release of his first single, fans are sure to gravitate toward his genuine emotion in the music.
Words: David Sosa
“l-o-v-e” is available now on all streaming services. Follow Rocco on Instagram and TikTok for future updates on live shows and music releases, as well as his Youtube.
