We Speak Music
Nervous City Nervous Self Shares New Single ‘Act V’
Nervous City Nervous Self is the artistic moniker of Swedish singer-songwriter David Josephson, who has unveiled his latest single ‘Act V’.
The captivating track merges genres of pop, singer-songwriter, and folktronica. The sonic masterpiece is a romantic ballad with melancholy undertones over a dreamy production featuring bass, bells, strings, guitar, drum machine, synthesizer, and chilling vocals.
‘Act V’ is a collaboration between Nervous City Nervous Self and producer Diamond Heist. They sent files back and forth between Uppsala and south of Sweden, the latter where Nervous City Nervous Self is currently located, and the result is a blend between an electronic dream-pop world and the equally other-worldly lyrics. The song was written a while back by Nervous City Nervous Self but has only now found its definitive shape.
‘Act V’ reveals a moment of bliss and birth under a vast honey-dripping sky. Although it is the final act, the fact is that it is a moment for re-birth. The next day, a new play, a new chance – for the lover and the clown, whose frown is just a smile upside down. And for Hedda Gabler, (the main character in Henrik Ibsen´s theatre play) only she knows, and the words that she whispers are spreading like wings of birds once kept inside but now released to the world, like drops of honey falling through the stratosphere.
We Speak Music
Phonseca release highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Everything Lasts Forever’ and joyous new electro-pop single ‘English Night’!
Five years after their debut album ‘Between A Dream’, Bristol synthpop duo Phonseca return with ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, an album that sparkles and shimmers.
‘Between A Dream’ was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his “Recommends” show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. ‘Everything Lasts Forever’ is a joyous, upbeat record which picks up where ‘Between A Dream’ left off and unashamedly embraces more of a synth pop feel than its acclaimed predecessor.
Phonseca brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and radiant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. In addition to Phonseca, he has composed Library Music where his work has been synched on primetime TV like BBC1’s – The One Show, Channel 5 programs and National TV in most of Europe. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.
‘Everything Lasts Forever’ happily takes its inspiration from the likes of New Order, The Beloved, Chromatics, The xx, Robyn, Pet Shop Boys and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The range of Kristina’s voice perfectly captures the variety of feelings that the lyrics portray. Putting herself at the centre of songs which cover Love, Grief, Clubbing and Internationalism. Also included is their take, on timeless pop classic Downtown.
In addition to the vocal tracks, there are a number of ambient/soundtrack inspired instrumentals, completing a varied yet balanced album of effervescent, nocturnal and emotive pop music. The album ends with the poignant, solo piano track ‘Our Star’, allowing you to pause, and reflect on things.
On the album, O’Connor states, “I realised recently that almost all of these tunes have a nocturnal element to them in one form or another. There is definitely a thread of pure optimism too, even in their bleakest moments, running through them and they lend the album its title. Everything Lasts Forever, comes from the theory that when something dies, it doesn’t end there, it’s atoms and energy carry on, long after, until the stars go out.”
Alongisde the album release, Phonseca also release new single ‘English Night’ today with an accompanying video. ‘English Night’ is a joyous upbeat electro-pop track that is laced with positive synth moods and soaring uplifting vocals.
On ‘English Night’, O’Connor states, “English Night is the most optimistic song we’ve ever written. It is Bizarre Inc meets Sophie Ellis Bexter with a dash of St Etienne. I’ve always wanted to pay some kind of homage to clubland as it has inspired me so much over the years. The middle section is my favourite part of the entire album, a real hands in the air moment. I can still recall the exact moment Kristina came up with it, jaw dropping, it gets me every time.”
-
We Speak Actors1 week agoInterview with Leonid Andronov, author of ‘First Draft Survival Guide’
-
We Speak Music23 hours agoRising Stars Roundup: Bantunani, Chris Errera, and More
-
We Speak Music1 week agoRising Stars Roundup: Ant Cee, Apollo Forbes, and More
-
We Speak Music1 day agoErvin Munir Drops Second Studio Album, “Pure and Simple”