Rising pop-soul newcomer Carlos Vara knocks it out of the park with his fresh, yet soulful debut single, “Numb.”

Prepare to be amazed! “Numb” is the debut single by 20-year old, Nashville-based pop-soul newcomer, Carlos Vara.  An excellent, mysterious intro gives a sampling of what is to come.  Among the many selling points of “Numb” is the production work.  It blends old-school soul with some modern pop and urban contemporary trickery.  Among the superb sounds are the vintage guitar chords, dusty, hard-hitting drums, a dash of trumpet, and synths.

As awesome as the sound of “Numb” is itself, the biggest selling point is the voice. Man, oh man can Carlos Vara sing! He has incredibly expressive vocals, that possess robustness, gruffness, and coarseness. Many male singers would kill to have his pipes. Fittingly, he gives a dramatic, emotional performance on a song that clearly calls for it.

via GIPHY

On the first verse, he sings, “You fill me up to pour me up / You build me just to break me down.” Clearly, his lover has him completely out of sorts, in the palm of their hand… On the significantly shorter second verse, he sings, “Is this real? A fantasy? / I don’t care when you look at me / Lovesick, can’t quit, yeah.” He sums up his feelings on the chorus, clearly the centerpiece of “Numb.” “You make me go numb / Hypnotized, I know it’s dangerous / Don’t speak, just make me come down.” Adding some variation, there are some reggae tinges of the bridge.  Vara keeps it subtle and tasteful.  Lyrically, however, he pours his heart out.

“What you do to me is criminal

When I pull away, you’re just so close

You make me go numb

Hypnotized, I know it’s dangerous

Oh, don’t speak, just make me.”

He digs into the final chorus, and all is right with the world – at least from a listener’s perspective.

Final Thoughts

What stands about “Numb” is how fresh-sounding this record sounds.  Additionally, you have a young, distinct vocalist in Carlos Vara at the helm.  Terrific all around.

Carlos Vara • Numb – Single • Carlos Vara • Release: 3.2.18

Photo Credit: Carlos Vara