Russell Thomas “No Matter The Crime”

Russell Thomas has a sense of childlike curiosity in his music. “No Matter the Crime” is an imaginative mix of alternative rock and indie pop. Though the track explores a heavy topic from the perspective of a loved one of someone who took their life, it still sees the hope and love in life and cherishes the person and the good memories. Maybe because it roots in the heaviness and pain of death but transcends the experience, “No Matter the Crime” it’s very moving.

Quite unlike the wrenching emotional tunes that purely focus on the emotional aspect of life experiences, Thomas’s music discovers the light and magic that life holds, whether in people, in our souls, in nature, or in life’s journey. Like seeing the beauty of the storm that terrifies us as kids. The artist shares his unique perspective and this curiosity and awe for life with listeners through his music. It seems to have become an aesthetic that feels liberating and refreshing.

“No Matter the Crime” talks about forgiveness. Though the lyrics and the sonics focus on positivity, the undertone of the song naturally tackles the pain and grieve that a loved one went through when a person they loved took their life. It’s really moving because despite the intense emotions and the grieving process, the core of this song explores love — you don’t stop loving the person the way you do despite what choices they made. The way you feel about them stays the same. There’s a soft spot, a gentleness in Russell Thomas’s beautifully written lyrics that feels genuine and precious.

The naivety and cathartically immersive soundscapes in Thomas’s music, though, is not the same as immaturity. There’s depth and life experience, but moreover, a thriving energy that keeps you heads up even in a stormy night. His music comes from a deeper understanding of life itself and he brings his listeners something meaningful and poetically astonishing to digest.