Trevor - INto The Blue

Trevor 

Into The Blue
self-released; 2022

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Jamie Funk

Trevor is the alias for Reuben Daube. You may recognize the name The Shadow Blasters from a previous review we at Pitch Perfect have done. Since 2018 Reuben Daube has been solo and recently released his second studio album entitled Into The Blue.

The album contains nine songs and this album seemed to have a lot of influence from musicians from the ’60s and ’70s. Daube flirts with a number of different genres here but I thought this was a very cohesive album with some fantastic songwriting.

The album opens with “Hit and Run” which is a fantastic song. It sounds somewhere between Roy Orbison and Elvis. The song sounded familiar in a timeless sort of way. There’s some fantastic boogie woogie like piano, memorable vocals melodies and a stellar chorus. The song has some great grooves as well and establishes the quality of the music moving forward.

“Take Me With You” has this slight Americana and late ’60s flavor. Daube sounds a bit like John Lennon to my ears on this song which also reminded me of The Beatles. It’s a fairly simple song but just very well delivered. The song is emotive and I loved those ’50s style vocal harmonies as well.

The title track “Into the Blue” is another great song and felt like a certified highlight. The pacing and delivery is on point with more melodies that felt timeless in a way. There’s a sense of familiarity here as well and it took me back as far as the late ’50s with those vocal harmonies. The chorus sounded huge and the lead guitar fills were a nice addition. 

You get something a little more upbeat with fun and lively on “Coach Ride.” This song harks back to glam rock not unlike David Bowie or Brian Eno in the '70s. The melodies were infectious and I felt like singing along. This song is a good way to start the day in a good mood. 

“Loneliest Girl in the World” is pensive and melancholy but also quite beautiful. It’s an orchestral ballad that soars. I loved the piano and pads on this song but the vocals are what make it come together.

“Sea the Breeze” is a bit like an interlude but not quite. It’s under two minutes and quite ambient. It’s serene, tranquil and lush. “Watching the Sun” is one of the bright and hopeful songs about dealing with depression and finding salvation in California. “Hung Up” is also fantastic and could be a B-side from Elvis while the closer “Lost in a Day” has a cosmic and epic feeling to it while also providing a sense of solace.

​I loved this album. It’s dripping with influence but also contains the signature sound of Daube throughout the song. This is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year. Recommended.

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