Hot New Music: Gary Go - Now Was Once The Future

I don’t know about you, but I’m in LOVE with Benny Benassi’s “Cinema” track (both the original and Skrillex’s bass-filled remix). Its vocals are amazing and its romantic theme just melts my heart. I paid little attention to who sang it, but now I’m wishing I did. Gary Go not only sang on Benassi’s track, but he also wrote it and the lyrically gifted, Go, has now released his own album (or soundtrack, which is what he’s calling it)—Now Was Once The Future, which features his own take on that massive dance hit. I’m now intrigued with dance music’s vocal darling and once you hear the seven-track album, you’ll be on the same page.

Go’s new album further reflects his artistry as a vocalist, songwriter and producer—as the album’s theme tells the story of the aftermath of a bad break up. It’s something we’ve all experienced and he musically captures its pain, remorse, longing, excitement and more. It opens up with “Cinema,” which he has transformed into an electronic ballad of some sort, slowing down the tempo while keeping its electronic elements. It’s seriously just as good as both Benassi and Skrillex’s version, providing a more soulful take on the track. I played it, like, three times before jumping to the next track.

After that, I was thoroughly excited for the rest of the tunes. “Our Love Is On The Line” is what followed and it didn’t disappoint. It’s filled with soulful vocals and a slow pop/funk tempo that’s been electro-fied in all the right places. “I Want My Heart Broken Again” is just as riveting with its slow rock guitar riffs, jazz-inspired sax blasts and Go’s melodic vocals.

But it still gets even better with “Heavy” that has these intergalactic synths and spaced-out rock beats. Vocals feel a bit more aggressive and edgy, which blends well with the beat. It’s some pretty heavy stuff (pun intended). The last jam is “Confetti Dash,” which isn’t really a song per se, but more of a poem or spoken words over some piano riffs with beats thrown in towards the middle. It’s a pretty epic ending to what turned out to be a very well crafted album.

Jumping on the international dance scene in 2011, thanks to Benassi’s track and Skrillex’s Grammy-nominated remix, Go is ready to shine bright on his own in 2012 and his new album showcases all of his many talents. While still known in the dance world for his vocals, Go has now established his own musical identity with Now Was Once The Future, which will propel him to the forefront of the mainstream music scene. I’m actually going to go out on a limb here and predict that Go will probably end up on people’s best of 2012 list—he’s already carved out a place in my list!

Words: Kristie Bertucci