We Speak Music
“I Saw You Turning Around”: Longplayer’s Nostalgic Dive into Reflection and Release
Mikey Long’s latest single, “I Saw You Turning Around,” encapsulates the introspective, genre-blending style that Longplayer is quickly becoming known for. Known for his contributions to bands like Drugdealer, Long steps forward with a distinct voice, using his solo project as a vehicle for personal expression and creative exploration. The song channels deeply reflective themes, from the bittersweet encounter with an ex-lover to the complex feelings of letting go. Long’s ability to fuse genres with a classic songwriting touch makes this single an emotionally rich and sonically captivating listen.
With lush instrumentation, “I Saw You Turning Around” feels both familiar and innovative. Long draws inspiration from George Harrison’s “Crackerbox Palace,” imbuing his song with a similarly layered texture and dense guitar work. The slide guitar adds a unique layer to the song, with each strum and pluck carefully interwoven to create a soundscape that mirrors the nostalgia and intimacy of the lyrics. Long’s attention to detail shines here, crafting a song where each element supports the overall atmosphere without overwhelming the vocals.
Recorded in Los Angeles, the track gained additional depth through Jay Watson’s punchy drumming and mixing skills. Watson, a multi-talented musician known for his work with Tame Impala and Pond, brought fresh energy to the song, elevating its rhythm and overall presence. Adding further depth, Shags Chamberlain’s synth work creates an ambient backdrop that enhances the track’s introspective mood. The result is a piece that feels simultaneously dense and restrained, a testament to the careful production choices.
Complementing the single is a mesmerizing music video directed by Carter McNeill. Shot and edited by Joon Voigt, and featuring video synthesizer effects by Julius Valledor, the visuals echo the song’s reflective nature with rich colors and a dreamlike aesthetic. The video offers a layered experience that reflects the complex emotions behind the track, capturing the sense of longing and closure in a way that visually resonates with Long’s lush sonic landscape.
With “I Saw You Turning Around,” Longplayer cements Mikey Long’s place as an artist willing to push boundaries while maintaining a timeless approach. This single speaks to his growing prowess as a songwriter and producer, showcasing a unique ability to blend classic and contemporary sounds seamlessly. Longplayer is shaping up to be a project that music lovers of all generations can appreciate, striking a balance between innovation and tradition.
Aaron makes music about meaningful topics that rocks and grooves – and sometimes it even skanks on a rock steady beat!
His new song ‘Geeks’ has been released on all major music platforms on November 15th. It is an anthem for the heroes of the digital age: computer nerds, also known as geeks. It is driven by an off-beat ska guitar, a sticky bass line and a groovy brass section. The icing on the cake is a jazzy saxophone solo.
“I have always loved Ska, I even saw the Specials, the Selecter and Madness live in their heydays”, says Aaron. “I chose the topic although I am not a geek myself, but I have a lot of sympathy for them. Geeks are often frowned upon because they can be socially awkward, but they are the ones who are building a better world. So I think they deserve an anthem.”
The music video is mostly made up of typography, minimalistic ASCII graphics and heavily pixelated images – it surely looks geeky! Watch it here:
Aaron writes catchy songs that are made for people who like meaningful, uplifting topics and guitar-driven, hand-made sounds. His musical journey started young but it wasn’t until he discovered Bitcoin and became so invested in it that he used music to express his new found joy.
“It’s mostly rock music, with excursions into funk, soul and other styles I grew up with. In general, it’s guitar-driven and hand-made, often with a punkish energy and beatlesque harmonies. What all my songs have in common are meaningful lyrics about being in the here and now, about transforming disturbing emotions into wisdom, about being in the flow, things like that.” says Aaron in an interview.
“I have always been making music and writing songs, starting with a punk rock band when I was 15. However, I never saw it as a career. I played in several bands in my teenage years and my early twenties, but after my media studies in Berlin and Rio de Janeiro I focused on other things. I first worked in TV production and then founded one of the first Internet agencies in Germany. I discovered Bitcoin in 2011 and became fascinated by it. I wrote five books about it, made lots of promotional videos and educational series for Bitcoin and blockchain companies, and organised events. I even wrote some songs about Bitcoin, which became quite popular in the community, like my Reggaeton about the Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador. People always liked that my songs are catchy and provocative. It was by the end of 2023 that I decided to go full in on music. It’s what I enjoy the most, so now I want to fully follow my passion.”
Since May 2024, his songs have been streamed more than 250,000 times on Spotify and his music videos have been viewed more than 350,000 times on YouTube.
Read more about Aaron King: http://aaron-koenig.net/press/
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