In “Love Keeps Burning Still”, Reetoxa’s opening piano part is like a private confession before the words come out. Mildly fragile, the kind of sound that you lean towards rather than away from. The song is immediately a personal one, and has a reality to it.
The voice of Jason McKee is at the centre and open and unguarded. A second voice joins and they harmonize together as though they were talking to each other, rather than performing. This is a sound from two people who deeply understand one another—even when discussing loss.
The string parts gradually swell underneath the song, until the track continues to become larger than it started. Never pretentious. Rises follow emotion rather than drama, and build is natural and earned.
It’s the tenderness of the song in the face of heartbreak that is most striking. It does not focus on anger or blame. Rather, it is tender as an appreciation of pain and yet remaining warm inside. It’s not easy to write that and it’s not easy to sing. Of course there is a lot to be heard here – piano, strings, full band. All accompaniment is in harmony and not a hindrance to the vocals. It’s like musicians that knew just what the song was missing and let it evolve.
The song becomes sad and comforting in the latter part. It quiets you down for a second and then lets go. I found myself playing it again almost straight away. “Love Keeps Burning Still” is like someone taking away the bitterness from heartbreak and making it into beauty. Reetoxa have written a song that remains honest and honesty keeps it with you.
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