Darren Gillis’s Drink isn’t just a song—it’s a crossroads.
You can almost see the dust kicking up underfoot as it sets the stage, a meeting place for the spectral echoes of Johnny Cash and the restless spirit of Merle Haggard, where the ghosts of country’s past lean in close to see what this modern-day troubadour has to say.
Gillis doesn’t disappoint. His music is a whisper and a roar, the sound of a man who’s seen enough to know better but still feels the pull of the unknown. The guitar intro comes at you like a late-night confession, half-spoken, half-sung, with just enough bluesy edge to let you know you’re in for a ride. And when the beat kicks in, it’s as if the song’s heartbeat syncs up with yours, pulling you into a rhythm that’s at once familiar and entirely its own.
Gillis’s voice isn’t polished, and that’s what makes it work. It’s the voice of someone who’s walked a few too many miles down the wrong road but isn’t quite ready to turn back. There’s a defiance in his delivery, a refusal to be anything other than what he is—a man with a story to tell, and a damn good one at that. As the chorus builds, you can feel the song expanding, filling up the room until there’s nowhere left to hide. It’s a moment of pure connection, a shared experience that transcends the music and taps into something deeper, something primal.
‘‘ This fresh single is a testament to his evolving artistry and a must-listen for fans new and old alike.
The guitar solo that follows is less an exhibition of technical prowess and more a scream into the void, a declaration of independence from the constraints of genre and expectation. It’s a moment of catharsis, a release that leaves you breathless and wanting more. Drink is a song that doesn’t just invite you to listen—it demands it. It’s a testament to Gillis’s ability to take the worn-out tropes of country and blues and twist them into something that feels both timeless and brand new.
This is the sound of an artist who’s found his voice and isn’t afraid to use it. Formerly of the Wheatbelt, Darren Gillis has embarked on a new chapter. After time in the Great Southern, he’s packed up, taken a career break, and with his caravan and guitar, is hitting the open road on a solo adventure. This fresh single is a testament to his evolving artistry and a must-listen for fans new and old alike.
LISTEN TO DARREN GILLIS HERE:
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