Single Review: Behind Closed Doors by Rebecca McCartney
Prepare to be swept off your feet with the bluest, most gorgeous mesh of classic jazz and modern R&B you’ll have heard in quite some time — Rebecca McCartney’s newest single “Behind Closed Doors” is out now. The track comes as the latest taste from the genre-bending songstress’ forthcoming debut EP, dripping with much of the same emotional depth she recently told Tongue Tied shapes the entire record.
Coming from musical origins in New York City, McCartney’s exposure to such a wide range of sounds growing up is evident in everything she does, weaving her influences together with an intrinsic burst of personality and heart that is all her own. The result is a growing body of music that is bound and determined to captivate listeners from every corner, no matter their musical preferences — McCartney’s more than likely got a taste of exactly what they’re looking for in her songs, and a better taste than most at that.
Indie music fans might recognize her enchanting vocals and lyrics from her duo with Jakob Leventhal, titled Garden Party. After this project’s album release in 2020, McCartney got to work on her first solo record, continuing to collaborate with Leventhal throughout the effort’s production. The first offering from the debut came over the summer, with the soulful, heartbroken single “Remember Less,” gracing listeners both returning and new last month.
“Behind Closed Doors” comes this week as the second glimpse of the forthcoming EP. Driven by rattling piano and percussion, it echoes the sorrowness of the previous single in a different vein, this time seeing McCartney tackling a lover who treats her as something to be ashamed of. Her vocals are at their most bewitching here, ricocheting off of the bouncy, jazz-infused instrumental with numbing conviction as they deliver each prickling line.
The track is graced all throughout with hypnotizing touches of the most satisfyingly thoughtful variety, from buttery backing vocals that envelop you in their heartbreak to a rumbling guitar solo that pulls everything back even deeper. Capped off with agonizing lyrics that crumble beneath the weight of a love that’s extended so halfheartedly, it’s a whirlwind three minutes that hurts like hell and sounds like heaven.
McCartney’s debut solo EP, titled “How You Feel,” will be out soon — and McCartney has assured us there is plenty more devastatingly beautiful, emotive work where these two singles came from. In the meantime, be sure to stream “Behind Closed Doors,” now right here, and follow McCartney on Instagram @rebecca.andmusic to stay tuned for more EP news to come.
Review by Tori Coker
