Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Ruby Jean Rose – What If (2021)

With the fast pace of life, we often lose sight of what is really important. Ruby Jean Rose is here to remind with her folky single ‘What If’. With the violin and banjo arrangement that perfectly complement her guitar and passionate vocals, Rose has you filled with hope for the future. This hope comes with a heavy dose of understanding of what is really important in life.

The musicality Rose has on display in this single has been honed over the years through street performances in Berlin and stages across Europe and the USA. Drawing on the emotions that filled us all in the last year, she takes feelings of turbulence and helps you find the moment of peace that you need. While emotive, the single is also a delightful taster for her upcoming stripped-back EP.



The opening of ‘What If’ flicks across your ears with a heavy hit of nostalgia before the guitar really grabs you. The guitar line makes you think of meadows and sunlight. While there is an easy movement to the single, the violin comes in with a sad note. There is a delicate interplay between the instrumentation which creates the gentle reminder of the single.

While you are touched by the sweetness of the melody, Rose’s vocals bring an interesting fragility to your ears. There is a warbling thread in her voice that makes you feel like everything could crack if you push too hard. This wonderfully turns into a passion and defiance that is like steel covered by velvet. The movement of her performance draws you from the uncertainty of feeling lost to a tentative hope. This movement is complemented by the melody that bolsters the emotions of her vocals. Every word is steeped in emotion that hammers at your chest with pain and hope.

Ruby Jean Rose draws you to tentative hope through the pained melody and fragile vocals of ‘What If’. The melody carries a wonderful sweetness that is laced with pain from the violin. Her vocals temper fragility with passion for an outstanding listening experience.

Find out more about Ruby Jean Rose on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

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