Rozzi’s Debut Album: Bad Together

By: Abigail Eckert

If your house was burning down and you could only grab one album, what would it be? Rozzi’s debut album entitled, Bad Together would undoubtedly be mine. This groundbreaking set of tunes will guide you through all the stages of a break-up and leave you crying in the corner, reminiscing on the good times and basking in the shortcomings of your ex.

27- year old San Francisco native, Rozzi Crane is a musical force to be reckoned with. Accompanied by her powerful, soul-influenced vocals and signature sultry-rasp, Rozzi embodies true artistry. Her astonishing live performances and distinct lyrical concepts are unique with unmatched delivery.

Earlier this year, Rozzi released the single, “Never Over You”, which became an instant favorite at Adult Top 40 radio in major markets and received praise from publications including Time, Yahoo! and Teen Vogue. In April 2018, Rozzi made her late night network television debut performing the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

At 19 years old, Rozzi was discovered by Adam Levine of Maroon 5. After hearing a song she had written, Levine created a record label for the pure purpose of signing her. Soon, she began sharing the stage with Maroon 5 at venues across the globe.” I had this underlying sense that I was ignoring something within me” she says “something that needed to be heard. It wasn’t until I got dropped from my first label that I was able to listen to that voice.” Buried by all the attention paid to her powerful singing voice was an exceptional songwriting talent. In 2016, Rozzi began her quest for self-discovery. After falling in love for the first time and going through a hard break-up, her debut album was born.

Growing up in San Francisco, Rozzi wasn’t raised to believe a career in music was possible. From a young age, everyone warned her that her dreams were too lofty. “I developed this hyper-ambition in response to that,” says Rozzi. “I had blinders on - completely focused on success. But that didn’t necessarily make me an artist.” So, in the wreckage of her first record deal, Rozzi made a vow to loosen the reins on her life. “I was afraid of distractions – but how could I make people feel anything if I wasn’t allowing myself to feel?” she says. “I didn’t need someone to tell me to work harder, I needed someone to tell me to go live my life. After falling in love for the first time and going through a hard break-up, her debut album was born.

Rozzi shares her tales of love and heartbreak on her new album Bad Together released in November of this year.

“Visions”

One of my personal favorites off the album, “Visions” is the story of struggle from trying to let go of someone you envision a future with but there’s something that’s holding you back. “If I’m telling the truth because my heart can’t lie. I only see you everytime I close my eyes. I can’t fight these visions of what I’d be missing without you.” The minimal instrumentals truly bring out the beautiful harmonies and backing vocals in this stripped down number.

2. “Two Minutes”

At first glance it may not appear that “Two Minutes” has political undertones. But in fact, Rozzi composed “Two Minutes” the night of the 2016 Presidential Election after feeling disappointed from the results. With great disappointment, comes beautiful art. This girl-power anthem will leave you feeling empowered and ready to conquer the world (and probably feelings of your ex, too.)

3. “Uphill Battle”

On “Uphill Battle,” a gut-wrenching piano ballad, Rozzi allows us to see her at her worst with lyrics like “wouldn’t it be nice to be a cool wind, always keep it breezy...but I am not that easy.” Rozzi tells her relatable struggle through her flawless vocals and beautifully dressed melodies. “Uphill Battle” is featured three times on her album, two of which being excellent remixes with Mowe and GOLDHOUSE.

4. “Lose Us”

Dressed in a vocal battle with Scott Hoying of the popular acapella group, Pentatonix, “Lose Us” is a fan-favorite among loyal Rozzi and Scott Hoying fans. While the rest of Bad Together is rather stripped down, “Lose Us” displays Rozzi’s superhuman vocal range. This tune tells of the struggle of relationship maintenance and is sure to pull at your heartstrings, have you calling your best friend, and working out all of your mistakes.

5. “Lose My Number”

The badass “Lose My Number” is a powerful tell-off hit you need to listen to when you’re feeling rather bitter about your ex’s substandard qualities. “Just because I treat you like no other, don’t mean you can treat me like your mother.” Rozzi’s sexy signature vocals and fierce attitude shine bright on this track.

6. “Never Over You”

“Never Over You" was written during a rough patch with her then-boyfriend. “I was at my local coffee shop and I was writing down a list of all the things that I was over about the relationship,”she says. “It was like, ‘I’m over this. I’m over that. But somehow, I’m not over him.

7. “Bad Together”

I don’t know about you, but this song takes me back to my first heart-wrenching breakup. Dressed in emotions, the title track will leave you breathless with feelings of a fresh heartbreak.

“I had written this poem called Bad Together. I didn’t even think it was that good. I just wrote it because I needed to get the emotions out. I was just assuming it was one of those songs just meant for me and no one would ever hear it. But everyone was like, ‘this is one of my favorite songs.’”

8. “Joshua Tree”

Then, there’s “Joshua Tree,” a bittersweet attempt to reconcile the competing ideas that her relationship didn’t work for a reason, but they were also together for a reason. “Some of these songs are so personal that I can’t believe I’m sharing them,” she says. “I feel a bit exposed and vulnerable but then I think of my idols, artists like Amy Winehouse and Stevie Nicks and the way their vulnerability changed my life and it doesn’t feel so scary.”

Like Winehouse and Nicks, Rozzi possesses the ability to deliver riveting personal stories that resonate on a universal level. Her music is soulful, organic and modern and she has a distinct willingness to be fiercely honest. “I feel like I grew up in a world where women needed songs that declared our independence and ability to be fine on our own,” she says. “But through the process of falling in love and then going through a break-up, I discovered that it’s alright to want someone without needing someone. I can want love and still be independent and confident. And being vulnerable with my emotions takes more strength than denying that I even have them. That’s why this feels like a coming-of-age album for me. It’s not only about my transition from singer to artist, it’s also about my transition from a girl to a woman who knows that the bravest thing she can do is be vulnerable.”

9. “66 Days”

The poignant “66 Days” was written 66 days after the break-up, when Rozzi noticed she had been measuring time based on the last day they had spoken. The unique arrangement and backing vocals of “66 Days” bring out the brilliant lyrics and story of measuring time based on the last time you spoke with your ex. The meaning of this song is one that I think everyone can relate to, even if you don’t want to admit it.

10. “Reason”

One of the more uplifting numbers on the album, “Reason” is a stripped down track that focuses on the positive side of the break-up and explains, “if my feelings don’t change with the seasons, then the reason is you.” While still going through the stages of a break-up, “Reason” offers an alternative outlook on a past relationship and promises better future relationships. Rozzi’s alluring vocal runs will leave you speechless and your ears wanting more.

Tracks 11 + 12

Uphill Battle (Mowe Remix)

Uphill Battle (GOLDHOUSE Remix)

Joshua Tree video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkVWWvoNho4

https://www.thisisrozzi.com/

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Stream Bad Together here: https://open.spotify.com/search/results/rozzi%20bad%20together