It is the first time I reviewed a song by Educatable and it is refreshing to find an artist who doesn’t let tragedy end the story. Ricky Barson’s journey with Educatable has taken him from drummer to frontman, and “Thank You” feels like the moment where he’s finally comfortable in that role.
The track itself is immediately pleasant. It’s got that summer festival energy, the kind of indie pop rock that makes you nod along without really thinking about it. You can hear the Coldplay influence in the way the melodies expand, and there’s definitely a Vampire Weekend bounce to the rhythm section. The African music touches add texture without feeling forced or like they’re there just to be different.
What’s interesting is how Barson has managed to keep the feelgood quality that apparently defined Educatable’s earlier work while making it his own thing. Losing your creative partner and lead singer would derail most projects entirely. That he’s not only continuing but actually drawing crowds and selling out venues says something about the connection he’s building with audiences.
You can listen here.
