NYC born multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Craig Donovan has arrived with a potent new single, Shadow To Your Light, off his latest album Skyshine (now available).

A piano driven rock ballad, Shadow To Your Light features a strong infusion of J-Rock which stems from Craig’s love and appreciation for Japanese culture and language. When you consider how much the Japanese embraced the British Pop invasion, it’s worth noting that Craig’s sound equates to a well balanced blend of J-Rock aesthetics, Brit-Pop melodic appeal and American Pop’s tendency to deliver memorable hooks.

In other words, Shadow To Your Light is as potently pop as it is lighter sparking rock and roll. Imagine Paul McCartney and James Taylor collaborating with Japanese bands such as L’Arc-en-Ciel and Asian Kung-Fu Generation (look them up). The result is something smooth and gentle but with just the right amount of grit.

Although I noted this is a piano driven ballad, don’t be fooled. Shadow To Your Light builds into a lush, larger than life soundscape of chunky rhythm guitars, soaring electric leads, and everything we tend to love about radio ready, playlist worthy rock singles.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Craig is essentially a one-man-band performing vocals, guitars, piano, synthesizers and mandolin. When in the studio, he calls upon talented friends to contribute bass and drums.

Shadow To Your Light is no exception. Craig performs lead vocals as well as all the background vocal harmonies. He also plays acoustic and electric guitars as well as synth and piano. Ken Eaton joins him on bass while Jordan Miller plays drums and percussion. Eaton was also responsible for mixing and mastering the track which was recorded at Mystery Ton Studios.

Listen to Shadow To Your Light on Bandcamp or Soundcloud.

Connect with Craig Donovan on his official website.