Robert Ellis isn’t taking to the piano haphazardly. In fact, he’s embracing the instrument as easily as any other instrument he’s been known to play on. With his second single “Passive Aggressive” from his upcoming release Texas Piano Man, he not only channels the likes of Elton John and Floyd Cramer, he makes the sound just enough of his own to make you excited for the album’s release.

The start stop opening just builds the verse to a level that you’re calmed when his vocals come in. Ellis sounds at ease here, the lyrics come out of his mouth like second nature, and even when he slows things down with backing vocals attached, it stays with you. With touches of eighties rock, sounding a bit like Randy Newman mixed with Hall & Oates, it’s still all Robert Ellis here, as he draws the listener in with each emotionally charged note.

You can stream the track on all streaming sites, you can purchase it in digital shops, or you can preorder Texas Piano Man directly from Robert Ellis himself or from New West Records before its release date of February 14. Robert Ellis is set to appear in person at the Old Setller’s Music Festival on April 11 through 14 in Tilmon, Texas.

Image Credits: Photo by Alexandra Valenti.