Rob Szabo—Who Will Listen When You Pray

I’ve been a fan of Rob’s for many years, though it’s been quite some time since I last reviewed his music. In fact, I missed his most recent release back in 2011, though I did feature one of its standout tracks, “Love is Overrated,” on the podcast, and it remains a personal favourite. Beyond his own work, Rob is also an accomplished producer, having helmed albums such as Scott Cooper’s Tiny Increments, one of my most highly regarded reviews. A few weeks ago, Rob sent me a preview of his upcoming single, followed recently by an email to say it's been released.

Now I don't usually review singles, but this is in fact a double sided single and for those too young to remember, and I can't believe I have to write this, but singles used to come out on vinyl back in the day, with the leading strong track on the A side, and a usually lesser track, one that wasn't usually good enough to make the album on the B side. Sometimes you'd get 2 track on the B side and occasionally you'd get an equally strong track on the B side, which made it a Double A side single, a popular example of this is the Beatles Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.

Back to what I’m calling an EP, though it technically only holds three tracks, it opens with “Introduction (People Sufferin’),” a brief 32-second preamble of strummed guitar and vocals. True to its title, it feels more like a scene-setter than a full song, laying out a curious little sketch of what’s to come, but I have to admit, it's good to hear Rob's voice again.

"Who Will Listen When You Pray" feels very much like vintage Rob: a slow-burn built on acoustic guitar, simple accompaniment, and those unmistakable vocals. It’s been a good few years since I last reviewed his work, and while there’s a touch of age in his voice now, it carries a richness—like a fine wine—that still lands beautifully on the ear. Just past the halfway point, a well-placed guitar solo slips in, elevating the mood and adding depth to an already heartfelt track.

The final track, "Where Do We Go From Here," picks up the tempo, and I can’t help but feel my muscles twitch and my head start bobbing, fully caught up in the momentum of the music. Its driving rhythm and engaging flow make it a great closer, and it really underscores the double A-sided nature of this release, with both tracks holding their own while complementing each other beautifully.

This release serves as a strong reintroduction to Rob’s music. In his email, Rob described it as a deeply personal project, a cathartic outlet and a necessary means of creative expression. For listeners, it’s wonderful to experience new material from him, and I can only hope that this need to create continues, as his music remains as engaging and heartfelt as ever.