Based in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, Richard Rourke is a soulful singer-songwriter and dynamic frontman whose music captures the spirit of the city he calls home. Since forming his band in 2017, Rourke has built a devoted following with his blend of vintage soul, gritty funk, and heartfelt storytelling.
On his new single, “The Gettin’ Is Gone,” Rourke and company lay down a clinic on moody contemporary soul that never loses touch with nostalgia. There is an almost eerie feeling to the artist’s latest that wraps around the listener, dragging them into this subdued sonic universe of sturdy basslines and subtle funk. Rourke sets the mood with his sleek vocal performance, a masterclass in tone, the way he conveys so much emotion through expertly layered harmonies that maintain a downtrodden atmosphere that is palpable. The vocals become more elevated with every listen, as more nuances of the jazzy arrangement become clearer. Toe-tapping drums and bouncy yet muted basslines emphasize Rourke’s poetically self-aware lyrics, creating an all-around unforgettable performance worth analyzing. “The Gettin’ Is Gone” is just a preview of what Rourke and his band offer, as they seem primed for a breakthrough in 2026.
“‘The Gettin’ Is Gone’ was truly a fun song to put together because at first I didn’t know where it was going to go. The groove and lyrics slowly presented themselves to me over time, but for months, I cluelessly sat on the verse groove before I could think of anything to do for the chorus,” explains Rourke. “Then suddenly it came to me one day, and after that, the rest of the song fell into place very quickly. Every song, every situation in life, involves a different process, and that’s actually what much of the lyrics are about as well.”
