This is one of those tracks that combines Chet Faker levels of cool with a pop format that blows any R&B wannabe out of the water. Refs is brand-new, but the NYC-based duo is not letting that get in the way of putting out great material. The intro to his track here starts out relatively low-key, but soon enough, we're introduced to a voice that not only has some awesome low-end grit to it, but a range that takes you completely by surprise. In all seriousness, though, where has this act been all these years? Their work is deceptively simple, but there's no hiding the impressive way they mix up R&B flavors with experimental electronic and then whips it all back up into an amazingly crafted track. We're gonna be on the lookout for more Refs material in the near future, certainly, but in the meantime, join us as we listen to "Pain Goes Away" over and over again until something comes along to replace it. There's always a place open in our playlists for a quality tune like the one he's here constructed, so you can bet this is going to get some healthy rotation on Hillydilly staff speakers and headphones for the foreseeable future and even beyond.
Refs