Tomás Doncker’s Hard is Hard EP (July 4th) doesn’t sit still. Across the five tracks, the New York stalwart flexes his decades-honed instincts for collaboration, groove, and directness, by blending soul, blues, funk, and rock without feeling scattered or showy. It’s sharp, deliberate, and cuts through with the urgency of a life that has experienced it all.
This isn’t genre mashing for the sake of flair. It’s grounded in Tomás’ years at the heart of NYC’s underground and experimental scenes. From his work with The Contortions and Defunkt to collaborations with Bootsy Collins and Patti Smith, Tomás’ musical DNA is rich and rangy. That same attitude pulses through Hard is Hard and is helped along by production from James Dellatacoma and contributions from members of UB40 and The Specials Horns.
The music and instrumentation is tight and alive, with horns that punch without crowding, and a rhythm section that knows when to hang back and when to drive forward. Tomás’ voice is gravelly, confident, and unwavering and it keeps everything anchored.
Hard Is Hard hits with clear-eyed urgency. From the searing call to action track, “Wha-Gwaan!” to the soulful blues cover of “Ace of Spades”, Tomás doesn’t sugarcoat what he sees, but his approach carries a sense of purpose rather than defeat.
He puts it plainly,
As a songwriter I’m very fortunate to be able to have so many songs to sing, to hopefully strike a match in the darkness of these uncertain times. This music has been blessed by the contributions of some dear friends – true legends, and we’re grateful to share it now…
That spark in the darkness comes through in the music. Whether through blues riffs filtered through a funk lens or jazz flourishes spun into rock frameworks, each track feels like it’s building something, calling to resistance, or just reminding one to keep pushing.With Hard Is Hard, Tomás Doncker doesn’t just revisit his roots but he refines them and reshapes them into something immediate with an impactful message. It’s not here to make you feel comfortable. It’s here to move you forward.
