Frank Marsilio is an indie singer/songwriter who takes influence from ‘80s and ‘90s music, namely pop and rock radio from around that time. His debut single, titled “Asteroid,” was released in March 2021. He released another song, “I Hope You Know,” which Marsilio describes as an acoustic ballad, back in July of that same year. While both were very good songs, he has another high-quality song waiting in the wings. “Distractions,” his latest single, is both fun and sincere in its instantly admirable approach.
Beginning with the bouncy piano riff that stays constant throughout much of the song, “Distractions” toys with several ‘90s music tropes, more specifically those of house and alternative dance, while still primarily being a pop song. It’s got the bright piano melody, the backing diva vocals, the funky bass and even lots of brass. Marsilio’s vocal timbre and delivery sounds intentionally whimsical over the intoxicating combination of tambourine and drum machine. Those who are fans of acts like EMF and Jesus Jones will find a lot to love here.
A notable triumph of “Distractions” is its lyricism. Obviously, the song is about distractions, but a deeper look reveals the universality of such a subject. “Well, I’ve got so many distractions that it’s starting to feel natural to me,” Marsilio sings, a highly personal statement made even more ominous once it’s followed by “And I don’t know what the next one’s going to be” at the end. Indeed, the lyrics are a huge factor behind this single’s “replay value,” but I feel like what is interesting about this song is that there isn’t so much a chorus as there is a refrain. Mainly, the verses do most of the heavy lifting.
Even if someone looks at the lyrics to this and thinks, “this is about something more serious, like ADHD,” I see tons of potential for this to be licensed for an animated kids’ movie (or TV show). It’s a very charming, catchy song. I’m glad that Marsilio is putting this out as his third single. Highly recommended.
