James Coates is a Northwest Americana songwriter who combines threads of folk, rock, funk, and R&B to create a sonic tapestry woven together by one singular element: a soulful voice with a hint of rasp, singing for anyone who needs to hear a good song.
On his latest single, “Buy My Mom A House,” Coates crafts a bright, uplifting piece of soulful, twangy pop. The artist’s latest single is a gentle yet bouncy anthem for those with aspirations for more, yet the capacity to feel comfortable with their current situation. The idea of this middle ground seems straightforward enough, but having the emotional wherewithal to accept yourself takes a great deal of effort. Coates conveys this sentiment through swaying melodies that cascade around an arrangement that explodes with moments of infectious jazz and splashes of glistening Americana. “Buy My Mom A House” is pleasantly straightforward lyrically, but the arrangement highlights a more complex side of Coates’s artistry. The bubbly, rainbow of tones that explode out of the instrumentation emphasize the vocal performance while maintaining a level of autonomy that allows the blaring horns and glossy guitars to shine on their own. “Buy My Mom a House” is the latest Coates fusion creation that deepens the mystique behind his sonic worlds via jovial melodies, lighthearted lyrics, and funky undertones.
“‘Buy My Mom a House’ was written for my mom, and all moms, to celebrate the positivity, kindness, and generosity that they share with us. It’s a song recorded by a few friends in a garage in a small town in Washington state, but we hope it resonates with anyone who longs to feel loved,” explains Coates when asked about his new single.
