“Little Lighter” by Ripe – A Song Review

Reviewed by: Dan Gordon

     Ripe is bringing the good wine and the funk in “Little Lighter.” The musicianship is front and center in the newest single from the Berklee College of Music funk prodigies, from the opening bass line through the dual syncopated guitars in the bridge (complete with the signature Stratocaster spank sound clearly inspired by producer Cory Wong, known for his lightning fast strumming alongside low-volume funk heroes Vulfpeck).

     Ripe defies traditional categorization, throwing in complex jazz chords too academic to be lumped in with popular dance music, but “Little Lighter” sees them embracing the joy and mystery of a prospective partner on a dance floor. The chorus triumphantly declares, “I feel a little ligher / A little lighter than before,” and it’s hard not to when listening to Ripe’s airtight horn section punctuate the disco rhythms in what would surely be the indie-funk song of the summer if not for its January release date.

     Ripe is based in Boston. The seven members are Robbie Wulfsohn (vocals), Tory Geismar (guitar), Jon Becker (guitar), Sampson Hellerman (drums), Josh Shpak (trumpet, EWI), Calvin Barthel (trombone), and Nadav Shapira (bass). The band’s tour schedule is included at the bottom of this post. They will visit The Independent in San Francisco on April 26. For ticket information, CLICK HERE.

     “Little Lighter” by Ripe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RipeMusic

Website: http://www.ripetheband.com/

Lyrics of “Little Lighter” by Ripe

You come out Friday, late

To hang out Riverside

You bring a couple of friends

I bring the good wine

And there, I'm stumbling over my tongue

I know this isn't a game

You're like a Holy Book

Written in a foreign tongue

I try to understand

Or just pull you under

And there, you send a smile and I'm lost

Yeah, I'm out spinning again

And if you want to talk about it

Come out Saturday night

This small town joint on the east side

Right until sunrise

There ain't no mystery to the way that we could get down

I feel a little lighter

A little lighter than before

I feel a little lighter

Lighter than before

You come out to my home

Around three forty-five (?)

My expectations low

So I tell myself, then

You are choking up and I'm lost

And head on down to play games

See, I'm trying to follow the breadcrumbs

That are parts of the innocent pie (?)

Again, it's not entirely genuine

But I do not consider myself one of your lovers now

You're snooping around in the dark,

So, send a smile my way

And if you want to talk about it

Come out Saturday night

This small-town joint on the east side

Right until sunrise

There ain't no mystery to the way that we can get down

Given our history

I recommend that you follow me

Do you feel a little lighter?

A little lighter than before

Feel a little lighter

A little lighter than before

I feel a little lighter

Lighter than before

Feel a little lighter

Feel a little lighter

Breathless subjects

I get a little excited

You'll be holding me tightly

For some of my fire

Chasing angels

I keep my eyes on the sky

I feel a little lighter than before

Reckless subjects

You, I get a little excited

You'll be, uh holding

Me tightly, for some of my wild fire

Chasing these angels

You know I keep my eyes on the sky

I feel a little bit lighter than before

I feel a little lighter

A little lighter than before

I feel a little lighter

A little lighter than before

I feel a little lighter

A little lighter than before

I feel a little lighter

Lighter than before!

  

Upcoming Tour Dates:

FRI 23 FEBRUARY - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA 

SAT 24 FEBRUARY - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA 

SAT 10 MARCH - Budlight Rock The Boat 2018, Steamboat Springs, CO

WED 21 MARCH - The Pour House, Charleston, SC 

THU 22 MARCH - Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, Asheville, NC 

FRI 23 MARCH - Visulite Theatre, Charlotte, NC 

SAT 24 MARCH  - Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC 

SUN 25 MARCH - The Southern Café and Music Hall, Charlottesville, VA 

WED 28 MARCH - WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, AL 

THU 29 MARCH - The Loft, Atlanta, GA 

FRI 30 MARCH - Orpheum, Tampa, FL 

SAT 31 MARCH - Hooked On Music Festival, Fort Pierce, FL 

WED 4 APRIL - U Street Music Hall, Washington, DC 

THU 5 APRIL - The Foundry, Philadelphia, PA 

FRI 6 APRIL - The Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY 

SAT 7 APRIL - Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON, Canada

WED 11 APRIL - The Basement East, East Nashville, TN 

THU 12 APRIL - Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL 

FRI 13 APRIL - The Back Room at Colectivo, Milwaukee, WI 

SAT 14 APRIL - 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN 

SUN 15 APRIL - The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE 

WED 18 APRIL - Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO 

THU 19 APRIL - Kilby Court, Salt Lake City, UT 

FRI 20 APRIL - Top Hat, Missoula, MT 

SAT 21 APRIL - Barboza, Seattle, WA 

SUN 22 APRIL - Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR 

THU 26 APRIL - The Independent, San Francisco, CA

FRI 27 APRIL - The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA 

SAT 28 APRIL - Voodoo Room, House of Blues, San Diego, CA 

SUN 29 APRIL - Valley Bar, Phoenix, AZ 

WED 2 MAY - Bronze Peacock Room, House of Blues, Houston, TX 

THU 3 MAY - Cambridge Room, House of Blues, Dallas, TX 

FRI 4 MAY - Mohawk, Austin, TX 

SAT 5 MAY - Parish Room, House of Blues, New Orleans, LA 

SAT 7 JULY to SUN 8 JULY - Levitate Music Festival, Marshfield, MA