Merv XX Gotti is playing a show at Bar Mordecai in Toronto on September 11. Gotti is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter who is releasing an album on September 26 titled “Guitar Songs: A Thesis On Low Efficiency Emotional Excavation.” I caught up with him before the release and got an exclusive listen.
Composed during the pandemic, this cozy and comforting record evokes hope, healing, and triumph. Time in isolation allowed Gotti to process and reflect on the past five years of touring with his previous project, the hip-hop/R&B duo Samurai Champs.
The album includes tracks from previously released projects, “Guitar Songs EP” and “Our Love Is Like An Artform.” As well as a new track, “Minnesota.” Breaking up the album into two separate releases is a unique way to introduce Gotti’s own dreamy acoustic sound, which is different than Samurai Champs. In my opinion, these Guitar songs sound like deep diary entries filled with memories, reflections, and advice. For the full experience, I recommend listening to the album in order as the track list is Gotti’s original vision for the record.
A deep cut is “20 Years.” I am drawn to Gotti’s expressive and dynamic vocals, which are soothing, silky, and smooth. The warm and raw production is peaceful and meditative. To me, the lyrics are a time capsule reflecting on past milestones, lessons Gotti learned over the years, and his vision for the future. This message is conveyed in lyrics such as, “Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to learn to wait before I talk.”
Or in this line in the final verse, “In 20 years, I’ll miss my band, at least I’ll know we toured Japan.”
Another element in this album is the detailed production. In the song “Swim,” there are multiple textures in the instrumentation, including the opening where Gotti is counting “One And Two,” which is layered throughout the song. Gotti shares how this additional texture became part of the song. At first, Gotti was counting to the metronome before the main vocal line came in. Eventually, he incorporated this counting as another element, allowing it to “Swim” in the vocal texture.
Lyrically, this song is about the bonds he created with artists and friends from his record label Trifecta Sound Co, and his appreciation for how these relationships evolved over the years. Despite the ups and downs, you learn to grow with each wave.
The final track on the album is “Second Wind.” During my conversation with Gotti, there was excitement and pride in Gotti’s voice while he shared the story behind it. I was surprised to learn that he wrote this song in 10th grade. Gotti reflects on how “Second Wind” means even more now. He said, “I feel like it was one of those songs past me actually wrote for future me.” This song landed him opportunities to emerge in the music scene.
The original recording of “Second Wind” was produced by Darryl Kissick of the band “Foxwarren” while Gotti was still in high school. They recorded the song at the College House in Regina, Saskatchewan, where Gotti grew up. At the time Kissick lived there and it was a hang out spot for lots of the local bands. Since then, there have been a couple more recordings of the song.
However, the album version recorded years later featured Gotti’s friend and creative collaborator Gage McGuire (Singer of the band Surf Dads) who performed the track with Gotti back in high school. McGuire plays electric guitar, bass, and drums on the song. Gotti and McGuire are also part of an emo band called GHOSTFORM.
“Second wind” is one of my favourites on this album, as I love the full band arrangement. There is a beautiful crescendo, similar to waves rising. These passionate vocals build to the climax of the song, which is the final chorus where Gotti slightly changes the melody. Also, the drum arrangement adds momentum and movement more deeply, conveying the emotions of this song.
The “Guitar Songs” album is 10/10, as I love the detailed production and track order. It sets the tone for the variety of themes, emotions, and moods explored in the record. The Interludes, such as “Born For Battle,” enhance this storytelling in a creative way. I also enjoyed that the album showcases both Gotti’s acoustic songs as well as more produced tracks including, “4 AM” and “Second Wind,” highlighting his range as an artist. I had the pleasure of hearing Gotti perform these songs live, which is always such a warm and intimate experience.
Gotti is performing in Toronto at Bar Mordecai on September 11, and the album drops on September 26.
