Then along comes Johnny Zarfati’s new single, “Light You Shine In,” which resonates literally and figuratively, a tribute to the light one person can bring into your life. He’s backed by a band of Russian-Israeli musicians, and together, with their mix of folk, Americana, and alt-country, they show that authenticity is a pulse.
This new single is a celebration. From the moment the guitar is strummed to the last lingering note, "Light You Shine" has a sense of hope, even as one hears the rawness of real instruments combined with honest songwriting. The production, warm and organic, is anchored by a full band recorded in the heart of Nashville. Shimmering top-liners pop against a quiet confidence, with guitars chiming, drums swaying deliberatively, and keys offering a warm shimmer just behind Zarfati’s earnest vocals.
There’s a gravel to Johnny’s voice that betrays his Northeastern heritage, but his sound is still cultivated from the fertile soil of American musical traditions. But make no mistake, Zarfati pays tribute to the past, but bravely forges his path and is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve.
“Light You Shine In” gestated over the course of a year, the result of steady revision and soul searching. Those days were obviously time well spent. Every line is considered, and every chord is purposeful. The result is a song that sounds at once timeless and timely, anchored yet radiating new life.
For those who appreciate a good, earnest story and roots-driven soundscapes, this track is a quiet triumph. That love, in all its straightforward and profound glory, can still spark great art. Yet it is with this release that Johnny Zarfati looks as luminous as ever.
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