New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Thanks to Ben Rector, there's a little more 'Magic' in the world today. The independent pop singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist releases his "energetic [and] ebullient" new album 'Magic' on OK Kid Recordings via AWAL Recordings. On his first album since 2015's 'Brand New,' Rector conjures 13 piano-driven anthems that materialize "like a burst of Technicolor in a world of black and white" (to quote opening track "Extraordinary Magic"). "A celebration of exploration that combines clever lyrics with a joyous energy and a radiant spirit" (Parade), the album weaves together the delights of Rector's past with the potential of his wide-open future.
Over the course of 2017, Rector teamed up with producers Tony Hoffer (Beck, M83, Air) and John Fields (Pink, Demi Lovato, All Time Low) to create the synth-fueled, lithe-pop heard on 'Magic.' Lush piano riffs, electronic orchestration and Rector's evocative vocals propel the album forward with the positive vibes he's become known for, but it's the small sonic nuances that highlight an artist completely in-touch with his lyrical and sonic direction.
The album's single -- "
Drive" -- packs an opening drum fill that's a hybrid of Steve Windwood's "
Higher Love" and perfectly encapsulates the iconic '80's films that inspired Rector for this album. "Old Friends" conjures up childhood memories with a bell from a bicycle and a reference to everyone's favorite high school band, Jimmy Eat World. The video, which was shot inside the garage of the Tulsa, OK home where Rector grew up, features Rector reuniting 13 years later with his band from high school (watch here). Power ballad "I Will Always Be Yours" delivers the "Top Gun Anthem" wizardry of '80's rock-guitarist Steve Stevens, and on "Sometimes," Rector collaborated with GRAMMY-winning songwriter
Dan Wilson to create a wistful story of lost love.
'Magic' follows Rector's breakout 'Brand New,' which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and yielded a Top 5 radio hit in the form of the title track. "
Brand New" has 43 million-plus Spotify streams and more than 40 film and TV placements, including trailers for The Edge of Seventeen, Disney's Moana, MLB's World Series promotion and even NBC's Olympic previews. Each of Rector's previous albums has charted better than the one preceding it.
Rector will launch his 28-date 'Magic: The Tour' on Sept. 19 at Memphis' Orpheum Theatre. The headlining trek continues into November, with stops in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Austin, as well as a two-night hometown stand at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. The Band CAMINO will open all dates. A complete list of dates is available below and at: https://hyperurl.co/Rector_Tour
Ben Rector is represented by Activist Artists Management, Creative Artists Agency, Shore Fire Media and Philip
James Agency.
Buy or stream 'Magic' here: https://benrector.lnk.to/magic
'Magic' Track List:
1. Extraordinary Magic
2. I Will Always Be Yours
3. Drive
4. Old Friends
5. Duo
6. Kids
7. Green
8. Sometimes
9. Wherever You Are
10. Over and Over
11. Boxes
12. Peace
13. Love Like This
'Magic: The Tour' Dates:
9/19 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre
9/20 - Columbus, OH - Newport
Music Hall
9/21 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live
9/22 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
9/26 - New York, NY - Playstation Theater
9/27 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
9/28 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
9/29 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
10/4 - Chicago, IL -
Chicago Theatre
10/5 - Minneapolis, MN -
State Theatre
10/6 - Indianapolis, IN - Old
National Centre
10/7 - Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst Theater
10/20 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
10/21 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
10/25 - Knoxville, TN - The Mill and Mine
10/26 - Knoxville, TN - The Mill and Mine
10/27 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
10/28 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
11/1 - Birmingham, AL -
Alabama Theatre
11/2 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
11/3 - Atlanta, GA - Coca Cola Roxy
11/5 - Greenville, SC - Peace Center
11/8 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
11/9 - Saint Louis, MO - The Pageant
11/10 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
11/15 - Houston, TX - Revention
Music Center
11/16 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Live
11/17 - Irving, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota
Music Factory
