I picked up “You Can Talk To Me” after hearing Von Venn’s previous stuff and wondering what direction they’d go next. The new single is pretty different from what they did on “Jeanie Is Out,” though you can still tell it’s the same band.

The guitar work opens things up nicely, and there’s a solid rhythm section backing it that keeps everything moving. Gary Cox’s vocals sit well in the mix, and when Ciara Henry joins in, it adds some nice texture without overdoing it. The whole thing has this nighttime vibe that works for the subject matter.

Lyrically, it’s about two people dancing around something obvious but not saying it outright. The “we’re just killing time” line gets repeated enough that you start to question whether they actually believe it themselves. It’s relatable in that uncomfortable way where you recognize the situation even if you don’t love being reminded of it.

The production is great and it never gets boring. You can hear all the instruments clearly, and Terry Doyle’s keyboards fill out the sound without taking over. Mark Wogan’s drumming does its job well, keeping things propulsive when they need to be.

Check out “You Can Talk To Me” by Von Venn below.