Irish songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice returns with ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’, a focused and assured preview of his forthcoming double album EQUINOX. Now based in Greystones, County Wicklow, Rice sharpens his artistic identity here, delivering a track that feels both grounded in rock tradition and confidently contemporary.
Built around a cyclical, overdriven guitar riff, the song balances grit with control. Rice’s vocal performance is measured and steady, carrying a subtle edge without tipping into excess. The arrangement thrives on restraint; momentum builds naturally, allowing the groove to breathe while maintaining a steady forward push. There are faint echoes of late-90s alternative rock in its muscular rhythm section, but the execution feels deliberate rather than nostalgic.
Despite its clear nod to Jimi Hendrix, ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’ avoids imitation. Instead of leaning on overt homage, Rice internalises the influence, prioritising feel, texture, and instinct over flash. The result is a track that honours rock’s lineage while standing firmly on its own terms.
‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’ is confident, controlled, and quietly powerful, an early indication that Garrett Anthony Rice is building something with depth and staying power.