4fro Nick is the name of the dynamic indie rock act fronted by Greek-born, American-based singer-songwriter Nick Anastasakis, whose latest double sided record offers an absolutely riveting musical experience. His unique musical path started at the historic island of Crete, where early childhood memories of street musicians playing guitars on Venetian cobblestone streets left an unforgettable impact on his creative nature. This rough, impassioned perspective was developed later in the hustle and bustle of New York and Los Angeles into an artistic concept that music is not simply a job but a way of life.
In this brilliant two-track EP, Nick brings this lived-in authenticity to life, with a stellar cast of world-class collaborators including Grammy-winning maestro and pianist Leo Genovese, legendary drummer Johnny Radelat, and veteran bassist George Athanas, whose collective energy is polished to perfection by sound engineer Bharath Ramanath (a.k.a. Cheex) at Fringe Complex Music Studio. This strong band has developed a deep sound study of time, independence and emotional liberty that mixes the accuracy of a professional studio with the wild exuberance of live performance.
Based on this rich collaborative foundation, the EP opens with the very dynamic and addictive single, “Don’t Waste My Time (LA mix).” The song sits at the intersection of indie funk-rock and vintage soul and immediately has you in a physical groove with a warm, bouncy bassline from Athanas and sharp, syncopated percussion patterns by Radelat. On top of this appealing base Genovese adds warm, soulful electric keys that crescendo into an exhilarating, scorching electric guitar solo that injects sheer energy into the listener.
Anastasakis couples this musical intensity with an exceptionally raw, unpolished vocal approach that avoids modern, mechanical pitch correction altogether. Unfiltered, it allows his natural and expressive phrasing and delicate harmonies to come through, making the performance sound like an intimate and reassuring discussion between close friends. At its emotional heart, the song is about the never-ending human battle between crippling overthinking and spontaneous happiness, pleading us to throw away our modern worries, devices and emotional barriers to totally dedicate ourselves to genuine human connection.
If the first track urges us to interact externally with our surroundings, the B-side “Get There Before Noon (LA2 mix)” takes us on a lovely journey to a far deeper, deeply contemplative internal soundscape. The music takes a turn into the hypnotic world of psychedelic indie rock and retro-synth dream pop, with a dramatic structure of swirling, airy synths that feel almost celestial. A pulsating bassline and steady rhythm anchor the music, while lush echo and reverb effects veil the entire arrangement in a beautiful, nostalgic fog beneath this hypnotic, dreamlike canopy.
Here his vocal delivery is almost mesmerizing, with a chant-like quality that suits the internal monologue that it is. It’s a combination of deep vulnerability and an unyielding feeling of purpose. Floating harmonies, ghostly, encouraging inner whispers, lead the listener through a profound philosophical contemplation on personal responsibility. Ultimately, this song is a powerful reminder of the passive trap of waiting for the “perfect moment” or conforming to society expectations of who we are. The metaphor of “arriving before noon” symbolizes the importance of taking bold, assertive control of our lives before chance slips away.
Get There Before Noon (LA2 mix)
As a single piece of art, the two tracks provide a nicely balanced conversation about how we traverse our little time on earth. The EP’s genius is in its precise mirroring of our everyday routines, a subtle but powerful wake-up call to the modern human experience. In a society where we get up, browse our phones, and dash through demanding schedules, we often live on autopilot, pushing off our deepest dreams for some distant tomorrow.
4fro Nick challenges us to snap out of our complacency and reminds us that the real insanity is to let life pass us by, waiting for someone else’s permission to live. Whether the music inspires us to get out of our busy brains and share an impromptu moment with a loved one or to take a courageous step towards a long-held goal, it is a strong reminder to live with true, active intention.
We highly recommend finding a quiet moment around sunset or late at night for the best listening experience to be able to properly absorb the charm and healing energy of this magnificent EP. Put on a good pair of headphones, close your eyes and let the driving, happy beat of Don’t Waste My Time wash over you and wipe away the tension and noise of your day.
Once your mind is clear, allow the dreamy waves of “Get There Before Noon” to wash inward over you, a blank canvas on which to muse your own path, your boundaries and your dreams. Nick and his superb partners have fashioned something far greater than just two wonderful songs by marrying ageless acoustic instruments, spacey electronic textures and irrefutable emotional truth. They have built a magnificent, enduring mirror for the soul, reminding us that our time is important, our personal choices are powerful and the moment in time is the only one we will ever fully possess.
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