Mike Denardo brings the soul on an uplifting single, "Aim High"
There's something disarmingly sincere about a song that just wants you to feel good. No irony, no hedge, just an open hand extended toward some hope in this world. That's exactly what Rhode Island multi-instrumentalist Mike Denardo delivers with "Aim High," his latest single, released July 10th, 2026, and easily one of the most quietly affecting singles to land this summer.
Denardo has spent the better part of four decades in and around music, first as part of a longtime recording collective and now stepping fully into the spotlight as a solo artist. That experience shows in every measure of "Aim High," a track that feels less like a debut swing and more like the confident exhale of someone who's been honing his craft for a lifetime. Written, in Denardo's own words, as a "feel good" song meant to remind listeners to never let go of their dreams, the track wears its intentions on its sleeve.
Even better, we got the opportunity to sit down with Mike for an in-depth interview where we talked all about the collaboration, his production, writing process, plans for the future, and so much more. Don’t get us wrong, we thought the conversation was great, but the real star of the show has to be the song, so make sure to give it a spin ASAP!
Now let’s talk about the vocal performance from Carine Paul, whose voice Denardo has been drawn to since the two first collaborated roughly a decade ago. Paul brings a rich, soulful warmth to the track that anchors the entire song, riding atop instrumentation that splits the difference between jazzy sophistication and soft-rock accessibility. Horns swirl in with tasteful restraint rather than showy bombast, adding texture without ever overwhelming the song's easy breathing pulse. Recorded in Denardo's home studio using an old-school, organic build of drums, bass, and guitar tracked live before the embellishments were layered in. "Aim High" carries the feel of a song assembled by hand rather than assembled by algorithm. That’s exactly how we prefer it always!
At just a hair under three minutes, the track doesn't overstay its welcome, it simply glides in, wraps you in its glow, and exits before the feeling fades. It's euphoric without being overwrought, vibrant without trying too hard, and upbeat in a way that feels genuinely restorative.
This is a song and a conversation worth checking out as soon as you can. We’ve included all the important links below so you can give it a spin, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for hopefully so much more in the works. Enjoy!
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