Rostam

Rostam (Batmanglij) is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer to the stars, nay, mega-stars. He first made a name as a member of the indie powerhouse Vampire Weekend, where he also honed his production skills. His solo work does not stray far from that particular sound, perhaps leaning more towards pop than indie rock, but still building on strong melodies and layered instrumentation. He is a little fearless about taking surprise turns in his music where he might insert a jazz saxophone here and a harpsichord line there, or top it off with a few Iranian motifs as a special touch. His arrangements are often lush, and he lets the instruments take up the space they need. Nothing is rushed. Every piece in his songs seems to have a place and a purpose. He does not particularly light up the world as a singer, but he is very much in the laid back range where his music generally resides.