“American Velocity” by Marc Soucy
GRAHAM- May 2
- 2 min read
Marc Soucy’s “American Velocity” is a sonic thesis. The Boston-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer delivers a piece that feels meticulously composed and instinctively human. As the twelfth release in his ambitious STIR series, “American Velocity” captures a sweeping arc of musical history, weaving threads of European classical influence into the raw tapestry of Americana. From the first fluttering notes to its final crescendo, this challenges listeners to rethink what “American music” can mean in a global genre-blurring age.
The piece opens with a striking homage to Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Copland, flowing seamlessly like a tone poem from a lost age. It is here, in the first two and a half minutes, that Soucy flexes his classical muscle. Without relying on samples, AI, or digital shortcuts, he channels the spirit of his idols with astonishing clarity and emotion. These moments feel less like imitation and more like a séance; their ghosts breathe through his keys. What’s even more impressive is that this section was written entirely by ear, without written references, just pure and intuitive artistry.
The track then dissolves into a slower interlude, a moment of quiet reflection tinged with the melancholy of Irish folk and the earthiness of bluegrass. This unexpected turn roots the composition in something personal and ancestral, evoking the idea that American identity is layered, patchworked, and ever-evolving. Soucy finds soul in the strings, letting the piece breathe before the tempo tightens for its final act: an Americana-infused jam reminiscent of Bruce Hornsby’s melodic storytelling and musical theatre’s emotive punch.
It’s here in the final third that “American Velocity” reaches full throttle. Soucy rides a wave of syncopated rhythms, radiant piano motifs, and modern textures—all while keeping the human touch intact. There’s energy, warmth, and just enough unpredictability to keep it thrilling. Every moment feels earned, the result of thoughtful craftsmanship rather than digital trickery. The production, done entirely by Soucy in his Boston studio, feels clear yet intimate, with each instrument given room to speak.
“American Velocity” is a triumph not only because of what it sounds like, but because of what it represents. In an age of quick fixes and generative convenience, Soucy reminds us of the enduring power of individual expression and compositional rigour. This twelfth chapter of STIR shows an artist at the peak of his exploration, blending past and present with courage and joy. It’s not just velocity he captures, but momentum, and the promise of where American music, at its most sincere, can go next.
Comments