The track's foundation rests on a 12/8 time signature that gives the composition an unhurried, almost conversational gait. This rhythmic choice proves crucial to the song's impact. Where lesser songwriters might have opted for anthemic bombast to deliver their message about human unity and compassion, DeAngelis and his ensemble – Billy Kennedy on guitars, Eric Bishop on bass, and Cole Herudek on drums and percussion – allow the groove to breathe. The jazz-rock fusion they've developed feels organic rather than contrived, suggesting genuine musical chemistry rather than stylistic posturing.
DeAngelis cites David Bowie, Cat Stevens, and Gentle Giant as influences, a triumvirate that reveals much about his aspirations. From Bowie, one suspects he's absorbed the notion that pop music can carry philosophical weight without sacrificing accessibility. The Cat Stevens influence manifests in the earnest, confessional quality of the lyrics, while Gentle Giant's progressive tendencies seem to inform the track's structural sophistication. The 12/8 time signature alone places this firmly outside conventional pop territory, yet the song never feels alienating or deliberately obtuse.
The production, helmed by Tom Conran alongside DeAngelis and the Kennedy brothers, strikes a careful balance between polish and rawness. Recorded at Gradwell House – notable for its work with The Wonder Years – and Musically Speaking Studios, the single captures the band's live energy while maintaining clarity across all instrumental elements. Kennedy's guitar work deserves particular mention; his contributions as both engineer and co-producer suggest an artist who understands the macro and micro levels of the recording process.
Lyrically, DeAngelis tackles weighty themes with directness that some might find naive but others will appreciate for its sincerity. The repeated refrain "Everybody knows what it means to live in this world" functions as both statement and question, addressing those who recognize life's fragility alongside those who've yet to confront their mortality. His message about choosing unity over division, about using faith as an anchor while navigating contemporary chaos, risks coming across as platitudinous. Yet the musical setting – that rolling 12/8 rhythm, the interplay between piano and guitar, the jazz-inflected bass lines – provides enough textural interest to prevent the song from collapsing into mere sermon.
The collaboration between these musicians, some of whom have worked together since 2016, clearly informs the track's cohesion. DeAngelis describes his bandmates as instinctively understanding his vision, and this intuitive connection comes through in the performance. There's a looseness to the playing that suggests mutual trust, a willingness to let moments develop rather than forcing them toward predetermined conclusions.
"In This World" succeeds not through revolutionary musical innovation or particularly novel lyrical insights, but through the sincerity of its delivery and the craftsmanship of its construction. DeAngelis describes the track as having "a light feeling musically with a heavy message," and this assessment proves accurate. The juxtaposition between the song's flowing, almost buoyant musical surface and its earnest thematic concerns creates a productive tension.
Whether "In This World" will find an audience beyond DeAngelis's existing fanbase remains to be seen. The single demonstrates competent musicianship, thoughtful arrangement, and genuine conviction – qualities that should never be dismissed, even if they don't guarantee commercial success. For listeners seeking music that engages with contemporary anxieties without succumbing to cynicism or despair, this track offers a viable alternative.