MIGUEL MONTALBAN - 'FRAGILE HEARTS'

Though initially threatening a countrified ballad with woozy, laid back guitar and piano flourishes, the unmistakeable sound of Montalban’s Strat soon cuts through, soulful and moving, even without words. There is a real romanticism to the track, a sense of yearning that permeates every emotionally charged note. A showcase for Miguel’s guitar playing prowess that has earned him some 114k YouTube subscribers, ‘Fragile Hearts’ also highlights his talent as a composer, perhaps unjustly overlooked in the wake of numerous popular covers.  

The track builds wonderfully, becoming increasingly dramatic as it progresses, the blissfully melodic guitar work singing with just as much feeling as any voice, eventually reaching a wonderful, rewarding conclusion. Dependable Southern Vultures Edoardo Mariotti and Bruno Pint lay down a solid rhythm that allow Miguel’s fretwork mastery to shine, whilst Paul Bell’s keyboard work compliments perfectly, adding colour without ever feeling like a distraction. 

The accompanying video sees Montalban lit by candlelight, which is probably the perfect way to enjoy this track. It’s certainly music for a darkened room, best appreciated with your eyes closed - but then you’d miss out on watching Miguel’s fingers move at incredible pace across the fretboard of his battered ‘57 Fender. As smooth as it is sophisticated, ‘Fragile Hearts’ is not your typical single, but it’s all the better for it.