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Rock and roll enthusiast Rourke blends classic rock, politics, and compassion into his latest single, “I Can’t Breathe,” part of his upcoming album Starstruck, set for release before summer. Writing about real people and real events, Rourke maintains the true spirit of rock while delivering songs that resonate deeply.“My goal is to create a brand of rock that brings the genre back to where it used to be, where the 70s meet the 80s. I want to write songs that stay in your head, the kind you are still hearing an hour later. That’s what’s missing from rock and roll these days. I want to bring rock back to basics,” Rourke shares.Rourke’s musical journey began in his preteen years when he first picked up the guitar. Though he later pursued film school, music eventually became his primary platform for expression. In 2016, after growing frustrated by political debates on social media, he stepped away and returned to his guitar, channeling his emotions into songwriting. What began as personal release quickly evolved into a powerful creative outlet. Within a short time, he had written over 1,000 unfinished songs, setting the stage for what would become Starstruck.Over the past five years, Rourke has dedicated his spare time to developing the album one story at a time. What started as an acoustic demo inspired by Guns N’ Roses and classic 70s and 80s rock gradually evolved into a full electric production featuring hard rock, blues, and emotional ballads. The album consists of ten songs accompanied by original artwork, including a cover photo Rourke captured himself while driving through downtown Los Angeles, which became a symbolic reflection of division in America.Working alongside his producer and studio musicians in Los Angeles, the project grew from a simple four song demo into a full band album and immersive musical experience.“I Can’t Breathe,” the album’s third single, delivers a powerful and emotional message inspired by the death of George Floyd and the broader struggles facing the country. The song takes listeners through five emotional stages of the Black experience, beginning with fear, anger, sadness, and frustration before resolving with hope. “When I first wrote it, I started on acoustic guitar,” Rourke explains. “The outro was added at the last minute because it didn’t feel complete without it.”With help from childhood friend Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters, who performs keyboards throughout the album, Rourke transformed the track into a moving statement piece. Guitarist Richard Fortus of Guns N’ Roses also contributes to two tracks, adding depth and intensity to the record.Listeners drawn to socially conscious rock should also explore Rourke’s single “Rise,” which he describes as his “Michelle Obama” song. Inspired by her famous quote, “When they go low, we go high,” Rourke turned the phrase into the chorus “When they go low, we rise.” The call and response structure transforms political tension into a soaring rock anthem, drawing comparisons to Bon Jovi and Green Day.
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