I'M IN LOVE AND I'M NOT LETTING GO - SINGLE // BILSON

 Western New York native Rob Bilson is no stranger to the music scene. The 36 year old has been playing music and writing songs since his early teenage years. A theater major in college with a band progressively growing in popularity, it is hard to deny the musical ability of Bilson. Back in the late 90's and early 2000's, Bilson fronted Seven Day Faith, a popular band in Buffalo that dominated the charts. With a #1 album on the Billboard charts, a #1 hit single with his song "Everything", and 3 top 10 singles on the Top 40 Charts at WKSE: Kiss 98.5, Western New York's number one hit music station, and Z101, Toronto, Canada's Top 40 station, the band had made a name for themselves. Bilson and his band were featured in the ever so popular J-14 magazine not once, but seven times, despite being unsigned. If that is not enough to put on a resume, the acts he has opened for over the years might do the trick. Bilson and his previous groups have earned the opening spot for acts like Pat Benatar, Bret Michaels, Michele Branch, Switchfoot, Gavin DeGraw, Vanessa Carlton, and Nickelback (we will all try to forgive you for this one). After a three year break from music, Bilson is back as a song-writer and performer.

The first single off of seasoned musician, and former frontman, Rob Bilson's newest solo album is titled "I'm In Love and I'm Not Letting Go". Bilson went back to his rock roots, a new direction from his previous album Beautiful Tonight and country side-project Ransomville. Bilson boasts, as he should, about playing every instrument on this single, as well as the whle album. How very Hunter Hayes of him. This song flashbacks to the tail end of Seven Day Faith, erasing any traces of country experimentation that took up his hiatus from rock and roll. I can't say that I'm not at least a tiny bit excited about this homecoming of sorts. It is a much more natural sound and environment for Bilson.

The song is definitely the kind of ballad that a highschooler would put on repeat after their significant other of a month dumped them tragically for someone that is no doubt more attractive, skinnier, funnier, and more intelligent. All jokes aside, the song is relatable at all ages. Even if you don't have a significant other, it could easily be sung along to about cupcakes, pizza, or Starbucks (AKA all you need in life). The song is sweet and catchy without relying too heavily on gross Nicholas Sparks-esque cliches or a horrendous dance track. The light rock backing music is refreshing and pure, lacking any artificial sounding synths or generic beats. The song would, without a doubt, translate flawlessly to a live performance, a true testament to a great artist.

No worries if you have not heard of this Western New Yorker yet. I am sure you will very soon! In the meantime, you can find his social media links below as well as the link to this song. Expect to hear more from Bilson soon.

I give this review 3.5 out of 5 stars and definitely recommend checking out his past work listed on his website.

*For fans of: Bon Jovi, OAR, and Train*

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