“has an addictive energy” Daria Tara – Mind Games

This is a great track, the artist has mastered the art of fusing the familiar with the fresh. This particular song has a little bit of everything that works well in high energy songwriting. The vibe is again a bit retro at times, reminiscent of simpler, less processed musical times, yet there’s also a distinct level of newness about it. The melody and the vocal performance have a crisp and unusual presentation, and it works – the changes between melodies from one section to the next are hugely captivating. Simultaneously, the production has been flawlessly executed so as to absolutely enhance and complement this structure and the very essence of the song.

The hook section has an addictive energy and darkness to it that’s hypnotic to witness. It has the effect of leaving you wishing the song was longer, or indeed reaching immediately for the play button once it’s ended. There is a slight hint of some classic songwriting examples from perhaps as far back as the eighties – the weight and thickness of the hook, the bass, the tone of each sound, the effects – and this nostalgia contrasts beautifully with everything else about the song.

There’s a songwriter at the heart of it all – rather than a seeker of fame or attention. The love of music, of writing, the preferred style of singing and expressing ideas – all of this is clear throughout, and it makes for an intriguing listening experience. The sound is indie-pop verging on vintage electronica at times, but all of this aside and the core of the whole thing seems to be something very human and real, and that has huge value. There’s an inescapable honesty to the lyrics that perhaps attempts to hide behind the electronic soundscape, but the truth is the truth. The hook section of this track is unforgettable.

By Rebecca Cullen

Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing