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I’ve long been a big fan of Justin Stewart Cotta’s music, from his spellbinding work with VAST to his raw truth-telling with Memento and onwards to his authentic and wizened solo records of late. And he’s back with a new track called “Was You” which sees him revisiting the heavier and darker rock music of his past. Here’s what he has to say about the song; stream the single below!

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About “Was You” Influences

“Given that I was in both VAST and memento, it makes sense that this track feels like a lovechild of the two. Having said that, I have always been mesmerised by Bowie, and the host of melodic synth 80s bands sprinkled throughout my child hood/teen years. The vocal production in the verses of WAS YOU encompasses the claustrophobic approach taken to U2’s Achtung Baby (Brian Eno, Daniel Lanios), while vocally the pre-choruses find themselves in a 70s Supertramp pop world.. which is quite satisfying as a songwriter to then be able to organically  launch into the really aggressive Tool/memento vibe chorus vocals.  Really pleased with how organic the production is, given that it gears through multiple genres.”

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Stream “Was You”

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Lyrics

There’s a killer inside those pale blue eyes

Thin lipped genetics are your big tell

There’s a coward inside

There’s a beggar whose blind

A little narcissist in training

Kaleidoscopic visions flashing so bright

Like a wounded moth I head for the light

Tap on the shoulder am I going insane?

The light I ran to was an oncoming train

(Chorus)

It was you fucker you fucker picking my wounds

It was you fucker you fucker stalking the room

It was you fucker you fucker stealing my song

I shoulda knew it was you who was fucking me all along…

Fault can only be mine, I took your pissing for wine

You took my kindness as foreplay to murder

Deceived me thrice, I took you back twice

Now I breathe heavy for your slow burn torture

When you sell yourself those stories of stature

Is it mom and daddy’s love that you’re after?

Jealousy born of a lover aloof

She was dreaming of me and not you

(Chorus)

When you tell yourself you’re measured and thoughtful

You know the subtitles they say you’re an asshole

Such a parody, envy is a curse

I could be you now, yeah, that would be worse

(Chorus)

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About Justin Stewart Cotta

Justin is the archetypal poet warrior. Vulnerability and electricity coexist, and you can feel it in his songs.  From piano prodigy to shredding guitar across the globe opening for the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age and Ozzy Osbourne, Cotta has established himself as a musical tour de force. He was the founder and frontman of Memento (Columbia) and the guitarist and keyboardist for VAST (Elektra)  JSC is a rare artist, with a knack for writing anthems and  lyrics that resonate with us all. His music has the power to transcend genre. At times hauntingly delicate and soulful. Glimpses of alt rock, folk, metal, 80s Synth, punk and pop, but with the cohesive storytelling of a genuine singer-songwriter. With vocals that land somewhere between the prose of U2’s Bono and power of Tool, Cotta continues to give his gift of hope during these strange times.