Track Premiere: Ruby Sparks' “Love’s All We Have”

As you no doubt saw—hopefully in real life, but for sure on our socials—we had Ruby Sparks play our 10th anniversary showcase MGRM10 in August. Jake Sternberg, who records under the filmic moniker, has dabbled in a variety of pop textures over his time making music in Los Angeles, but his latest series of singles are the most timely sounding to date, juggling radio friendly psychedelia with a renewed, vulnerable take on modern indie singer-songwriter sounds.

“Love’s All We Have,” the final single from Ruby Sparks’ forthcoming debut album IRIS, is a bassy, fast-driving, forlorn reflection on stability and groundedness. Perhaps even more than the previously released songs, Sternberg’s work with producer Collin Desh (of LA staple Low Hum) feels apparent; the punchy rhythm section and sly guitars have the agile focus of a MEET ME IN THE BATHROOM-core garage rock B-side, and the winsome vintage vocal harmonies land somewhere between a Phil Spector recording and a Kevin Parker hit. Hearing it in the context of being the album opener, it kicks things off in dazzling fashion.

In his own words, Sternberg describes “Love’s All We Have” as a natural start to the record, one where we can begin on the concept of love and zoom out on our problems from there. “(It begins) with me tearing out the decaying roots of my own life and love, and proceeding to plant new seeds in the places that bring me the most joy, with my family, friends, community, and relationship, as well as my creativity and physical and mental health. We can’t control many of these existential forces, but we can control how we treat ourselves. Love isn’t all we have, but it can bring incredible joy into our lives if we choose to prioritize and make decisions with it, pointing our internal compass.”

You can hear “Love’s All We Have” and watch Nicholas Griffith’s lyric video for the track a day early below!