Curtis Millen – Standing On Business (2025)
Bringing the Irish feistiness and cheeky energy to a world of old-school funk, soul and Motown grooves, Northern Ireland’s Curtis Millen, now residing in the Netherlands, blasts through your speakers with an almighty “check this out!” No stranger to our ears, Millen made a notable impression with his singles, ‘Driver’s Seat’ and ‘Break Out The Cutters’. Perhaps it was the nostalgic breath of life into old-school funk, or maybe the twist with modern-day soul; either way, we heard it, and it stayed in our heads. Come with us as we delve into his most recent release, ‘Standing On Business’.
The third single in his discography, ‘Standing On Business’, comes after the critically acclaimed sophomore single, ‘Break Out The Cutters’. Unlike the Stevie Wonder vibe we felt in his past two tracks, ‘Standing On Business’ retains the Motown funk tone but brings the obscurity of Prince to the melody. A combination of soulful guitars, bold drums, shimmering keys, and a steady bass, the new track keeps your toes tapping to its harmonic symphony. Yet, as harmonic as the tune may be, there is a stand-out feature as the horns demand attention; it isn’t necessarily stepping away from harmony but rather ensuring their individuality as the song swings out.
Curtis Millen has a unique voice with an intriguing vocal range, and all is laid bare in ‘Standing On Business’. From husky lows to shivering highs with confidence and pomp, Millen demonstrates versatility and pitch-perfect control. This being said, while the confidence and maturity shine, Millen delicately dips into human fragility and vulnerability. He explains:
“’Standing On Business’ is an introspective funk anthem for those who are stuck at a crossroads with the dream they’re chasing telling them to lock themselves away from distractions and focus on exactly what they need to do to become who they want to be.”
Sentimental, sincere, reflective, and a funky push of empowerment, ‘Standing On Business’ twirls you about with kaleidoscopic joy. I am eager to hear more from this talented up-and-coming artist.
Find out more about Curtis Millen on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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