(September 18, 2025) When Steve Cropper, the legendary Stax guitarist who played for the likes of Sam & Dave and was a member of Booker T & the M.G.s, compliments an artist, that performer is doing something right. Learning that Cropper left a writing session with Alex Harris impressed with the young artist is enough to get my attention. After hearing his new song “Better (feat. Conya Doss), it’s easy to see why Cropper was impressed.
Harris has a strong, gritty baritone that serves him well as a musical storyteller. The story that Harris and Doss tell on “Better” is how being in the presence of that special person can transform an unpleasant day into a good day. Harris starts the song lamenting that he’s stuck waiting for his train after a long day at work. However, all that melts away when gets home and his woman touches him, and her arms enfold him.
Doss reminds listeners why a generation of indie soul men have her number on speed dial whenever they need a duet partner. Her voice is soothing and sultry. Her tone conservational as she sings about the redemptive, stress reducing qualities of her man’s touch. The pair are equally strong when their voices combine, and Doss’s warm and sultry vocals are the perfect compliment for Harris’ powerful baritone. Check out Alex Harris and Conya Doss on “Better” here.
By Howard Dukes
