By Andrew Benzinger

Scottish multi-instrumental singer-songwriter Robert Shields, known by his stage name ONR, (pronounced “honor”), just released the acoustic version of his pensive single “Crash Landing”. Throughout ONR’s music career, he’s released regular, acoustic, and even club versions of most of his catalogue, including “Human Enough” and “Sober”.

ONR flips alternatively between electronic and acoustic, showcasing his music’s adaptability to different settings, from nightclubs and bars to more reflective moments in your bedroom. And while it’s hard to imagine a bluesy song like “Crash Landing” getting a club version, the acoustic style certainly works in its favor. Unsurprisingly, the main difference between the two versions is the stripped down quality the acoustic “Crash Landing” brings - a welcome change to the original. Just Shields and his guitar taking up the entire stage is the best move for a song like “Crash Landing,” and although neither version is too overbearing, the addition of the chorus, piano, and especially the bombastic final build in the original release tend to clutter up the soundscape than enhance it. ONR’s strong voice doesn’t need the other frills to present a full and sincere performance. Though his adept singing still shines through in the original, the acoustic version takes the prize for building on the original’s best elements and quieting down the rest.