Return to Sender (VP Loop) — VoicePlay music video
Since their first attempt at a relay arrangement went pretty well, the guys decided to do it again. The randomness of fate led them from a brand new hit to a golden oldie, and they put that VoicePlay twist on it, even while working in separate places.
Details:
title: VoicePlay Loop #2 – Return to Sender
original performer: Elvis Presley
written by: Winfield Scott & Otis Blackwell
arranged by: VoicePlay
release date: 1 December 2023
My favorite bits:
upgrading from rolling a d6 to a d12 to reduce the likelihood of ties they'd had the first time
all of Geoff's joking pessimism in the intro spiel
Layne's face lighting up as he instinctively starts adding backing vocals
the triple snap edit at the end of Eli's recording session
Cesar calling the other guys old in the sweetest way, in retaliation for none of them knowing the song he'd picked for the first Loop
filling in the little sonic gaps
the smooth harmonies on the repeated ♫ "He put it in his sack" ♫
Geoff's subterranean ♫ "back" ♫ to really underscore the sadness
the sweet bell chord of ♫ "zone" ♫
that funky breakdown on the start of the second verse
the isolated ♫ "bwuaah-dm" ♫ bass line in the outro
Trivia:
The group has a long history with Elvis tunes. 4:2:Five recorded Rockapella's arrangement of "Hound Dog" on their 2004 album of classics, "Time Machine". They also put their stamp on a rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" for Valentine's Day in 2020.
Geoff has recorded a couple Elvis songs for his solo channel, as well, including "Way Down" the previous summer, and "Blue Christmas" at the end of the year.
He also sang bass on fellow a cappella group Vox Audio's version of "A Little Less Conversation" for their 2012 album "Voice Activated" (which, sadly, is not currently available for streaming).
Cesar is only ten years younger than the other guys, but he grew up with different cultural touchstones, primarily Puerto Rican music that his family listened to and performed.
