John Deering’s latest single, “Slow Dance”, is a raw and heartfelt addition to his growing catalog. The Minneapolis singer songwriter taps into rock’s timeless essence while channeling the urgency of human desire for closeness. It’s a song that sounds both familiar and immediate, echoing classic rock greats while carrying the grit of alternative’s golden age.
Musically, Slow Dance is a fusion of eras. Deering’s songwriting nods to the melodic structures of The Beatles and the swagger of The Rolling Stones, but the track’s sonic weight leans into the distorted textures of ’90s alternative icons like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Driving drums from Peter Anderson (Run Westy Run) and steady bass lines courtesy of Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum) give the song its backbone, grounding Deering’s vocals in a soundscape that balances urgency with restraint.
Lyrically, the song was sparked by a fleeting image from a film, a woman yearning for intimacy. Deering transforms that small cinematic detail into a broader meditation on touch, longing, and the vulnerability of opening oneself to another. The lyrics lean into universal truths without losing their personal edge, a testament to his growth as a songwriter since his beginnings in 2016.
What truly elevates the track is Deering’s voice. Thick and unvarnished, his delivery captures both tenderness and ache. There’s a lived in quality to his performance, as if each word comes from a place of experience rather than abstraction. Critics have described it as “lovesick tenderness,” and the description feels apt, he manages to sound fragile and forceful all at once.
With “Slow Dance”, Deering proves he’s not just reviving rock traditions but reshaping them into something that feels strikingly alive. It’s a song that lingers, not because it’s loud, but because it’s honest.
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