Daily Dose: Ryan Von Gonten, “Truthlikeness”

Daily Dose is your daily source for the song you absolutely, positively need to hear every day. Curated by the Paste Music Team.

Oakland-based solo artist Ryan Von Gonten released his debut album Truthlikeness today, Sept. 14, via GoldFlakePaint’s Human Noise Records. The record features contributions from Lomelda’s Hannah Read and Hovvdy/Lomelda drummer Andrew Stevens, both of whom make their presence felt on its reflective title track.

Stevens’ insistent drum beat pushes the song forward as Von Gonten second-guesses himself, singing, “Never told a soul I haven’t done enough / would’ve thought a liar seemed bad enough.” His hushed voice goes gauzy on the song’s achingly ethereal choruses, melding with wispy synths and Read’s tranquil guitar to make a gorgeous moment of fleeting, forward-looking optimism: “But I hear that you’re searching / I hear that you’re finding another right,” Von Gonten sings, the observation a near whisper as the track fades out.

Listen to “Truthlikeness” below and stream the entire record via Bandcamp here.