SINGLE REVIEW: Dua Lipa - Swan Song
With the release of ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ only a couple of weeks away, the blockbuster has decided to finally drop their lead theatrical single which is as empowering as you expected. Dua Lipa brings ‘Swan Song’ to life in a very theatrical and experimental way. The song isn't your classic lead single because it strays away from the mainstream formula meaning that it will probably struggle to get airplay or chart traction. But the angsty and diverse sound compliments the concept of the film well.
With each listen I start to enjoy the drastic breakdowns and production quirks more and more. She asks the important questions; “What is the point of my lips if they don't make noise? What is the point of doing nothing at all, watching it fall?” whilst exploring her freedom. And then admits, “I won’t stay quiet, I won’t stay quiet. Cause staying silents the same as dying”. It’s a very empowering concept that is unique in it’s own way. But it’s a song that won’t be for everyone and with each listen I seem to have a drastic different opinion on it. There’s just something about it which isn't great but there’s also something about it which is so interesting.
SINGLE REVIEW: Lauv feat. Troye Sivan - I’m So Tired
Last year Lauv gave us a lot of singles and it doesn't seem like 2019 will see that pattern changing. The Californian singer-songwriter has already dropped his first track of the year which hears him teaming up with Troye Sivan. ‘I’m So Tired’ is a hyper-emotional indie-pop track that hears him admitting that he’s tired of love songs, tired of love in general and tired or heartbreak. And if that’s not a mood you want for 2019 then I don’t know what is. Following the sonical structure of his previous singles he also follows a chord progression and structure that he’s very comfortable with.
With dark synths that roll into a pulsating delivery he has you instantly grooving along to this catchy hook. “I'm so tired of love songs, tired of love songs, tired of love songs, tired of love. Just wanna go home, wanna go home, wanna go home”. But in comparison to his other material it’s a little lazy and repetitive. And then you have Troye Sivan’s verse which is almost forgettable as both of their vocal delivers are very similar. There needed to be a different mix that broke up their two deliveries and made them individually stand out because they sounded exactly the same. But in retrospective this is a good song, it’s just a little predictable for Lauv at the moment.
SINGLE REVIEW: Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall / 2021
Double sided singles seem to be the way to go recently as fans want more in a single saturated market and artists want to share more. After a six year wait it’s by no surprise that Vampire Weekend fans are already a little eager for new music so the idea of two new singles was quickly embraced. ‘Harmony Hall’ is exactly how you remember Vampire Weekend to be at their strongest. Full of groovy indie-rock vibes the song immediately captures your attention and transports you to a grassy hill at a music festival. Reflecting on the changes of impressions over time they take a political route with the current state of the world. “And the stone walls of Harmony Hall bear witness. Anybody with a worried mind could never forgive the sight of wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified. I don't wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die”.
It has a very important message which is perfectly shadowed with a groovy indie-rock production that is very them. Whereas ‘2021’ is a short and experimental track that compliments the more abstract side of their material. It may not be as impacting but it’s enjoyable in it’s own unique way. However ‘Harmony Hall’ is the clear standout and a song that will reintroduce them well.
SINGLE REVIEW: Florence + The Machine - Moderation / Haunted House
Another band who have decided to do the double sided single release this week is Florence & The Machine. Recently debuting ‘Moderation’ as they kicked off their Australian leg of the ‘High As Hope World Tour’, the English favourites have decided to officially release it to their die hard fans. Continuing the bold sound their last album embraced, this song perfectly fits into their live show as a big and joyous moment even though the song stimulates from a dark childhood memory. Reflecting on the time she was yelled at by her parents at church this song explodes with a big hook that is begged to be played live. It has this raw angst and sense of relief that will have you running around. “Then bow your head in the house of God. And little girl, who do you think you are?”.
On the other end of the spectrum ‘Haunted House’ takes a very different approach. The minimalist track begins with only keys before adding in some strings and drums but not too much that it takes over the mood. The brief two minute track plays as a confessional. “My heart is like a haunted house. There’s things in there that scream and shout. They make their music in the night. Wish I could find a way to let them out”. It’s a very soothing and eerie track that is full of emotion and simmers down from the angsty delivery of ‘Moderation’.
SINGLE REVIEW: Ashley Tisdale - Love Me & Let Me Go
After a 9 year hiatus, Ashely Tisdale finally returned to music late last year with the highly promising ‘Voices In My Head’. The mature pop song saw her re-introducing herself to listeners with a indie-pop delivery. She soothingly harmonised over the groovy guitar riff and alternative pop beat that drove the chorus. Whilst this was the most mature and honest we have heard Tisdale, there was still a strong pop focus that her longterm fans quickly connected with and embraced. ‘Love Me & Let Me Go’ hears her following it up with some dark electronic beats that showcase a whole new sound and experimentation. Reflecting on a toxic relationship, she asks her partner to let her go and move on in peace as she is finally ready. “Walk away, finally let me breathe. Stop being so obsessed with me. Love me and let me go”. It’s a darker approach to her previously released material but still comfortably sits in the pop realm with her slick production and smooth vocal delivery. It has such a fresh and exciting sound to it that you can’t help but be excited to hear what the rest of her third studio album ‘Symptoms’ holds. It’s a promising direction for an artist who was continually pigeonholed as a Disney star, but she's broken free.
SINGLE REVIEW: Kate Miller Heidke - Zero Gravity
Later this year Australia will host Eurovision for the first time so to celebrate this momentous event the country will also host it’s first ever Australia Decides competition. Hosted on the Gold Coast, the competition will see some of Australia’s most prestigious acts battling against each other to represent the country. Each contestant has to submit and perform an original track in the live heats and prove why they deserve to get this opportunity. One of the contestants is none other than classical pop favourite, Kate Miller Heidke.
Over the years she has perfectly blended her classical opera roots with her pop history which creates a very theatrical and unique fusion. ‘Zero Gravity’ is a bold song to enter a competition like this with but it stands out as something completely unique. Exploring her own battle with mental health she finds the importance of rising up through these times and finding that strength inside of her which is holding on. The production is very theatrical and almost sits in a science fiction realm with the way she’s combined pop and opera together. It’s a song with a lot of personality and emotion and it’s unsurprisingly a lot to digest on a first listen. After a few listens it will grow on you but because it’s sonically quite bold it’s one that radio and mainstream media will undoubtedly struggle with. It will be interesting to see how she brings this song to life in the live show and if she can captivate the crowd because she will definitely already stand out.
SINGLE REVIEW: Tori Kelly - Change Your Mind
Tori Kelly’s debut album ‘Unbreakable Smile’ was a soulful, polished and honest collection of tracks that not only saw her nominated for a Grammy but also won over a legion of fans. After a long break, a gospel EP and getting married, the singer-songwriter is stepping back into the pop world with her first single from her forthcoming sophomore studio album. ‘Change Your Mind’ may be sonically back in the pop world but it still crosses over into the soulful and gospel sphere. The song looks at her family disapproving of her marriage and her vowing to not let that affect her choice.
“No one ever said it was easy. And I love him, you gotta believe me. No, it don't seem right but I'll change your mind, mind”. Lyrically it’s a really strong and interesting song that tackles a very hyper-emotional storyline. But the delivery falls a little flat and becomes a little boring and predictable. There’s no element of surprise or anything that makes this song stand clearly out compared to her other material. It comfortably sits in her discography as a good soulful pop song but doesn't really breakthrough anywhere else.
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And want to check out some of these songs? Then check out the #BLEACHEDplaylist on Spotify which is curated each week by Thomas Bleach as his favourite new releases.
