Written by Sienna Filipetto
Let me set the scene for you; Sunday morning, day 5 of being housebound, sitting in the sun with a coffee, my flatmates are gardening, cooking, planning how to fill their day. I’ve been tasked with finding a new track to write about. At any other point in my life, I would approach this with a childlike eagerness, what am I loving right now? What do I think should be given a platform, shown to the world? But if nothing else, I’m sure we can all agree that life at the moment is a little strange. So today, I wanted to find something fitting. Not just a great release, but a needed one.
Not 10 minutes into my search I stumbled upon ‘Melancholy’ by Liverpool based band Rossa Murray & the blowin’ winds. I couldn’t help but have a small laugh. Living in central London you can’t escape the bustle, busy is a feeling and the city is painted with it. But lately, the streets are empty, and there’s an uncanny sense of quiet worry surrounding most encounters; melancholy is a word we’ve grown very familiar with.
For me at least, a good tune has been the answer to any feelings of boredom, anxiety and so much more. Having a small groove, or just lying about with some new tracks playing has been my favourite part of this isolation. So, to all the alternative indie lovers out there, here’s a new one for your playlist. So let’s turn up the volume, have a bit of a move, and embrace the irony of a sad song bringing us a whole lot of good in sad times.
‘Melancholy’ draws you in right from the start, a hollow drum beat to grab your attention, soon backed up by an almost electronic guitar riff. The song exudes a dark presence, picture a smoky basement and neon lighting, all the while utilising their modern take on bluesy rhythm and soulful vocals, fused with soft rock undertones, to assemble such a tapestry of sound for the listener to lose themselves in. The tune is a complete journey in itself, before you even consider the lyrics.
The melodies of this song can only be described as clever, slow in the right places and fast when needed. They both mirror and compliment the instrumental in such perfect harmony, depicted especially within the pre-chorus ‘said that if she, when she only miss the melancholy on a Sunday night’. The break in the song, complete silence if not for the vocals, and then hitting the chorus with a recollection of everything. It’s a move of musical genius, you can’t help but become completely involved at this point; mind and body.
Paralleling all of this is then the lyrics, a story of failed but wanted connection. A universal truth, relatable to every person, and depicted with such beautiful words by the band. Accompanied by hauntingly mellow vocals, a picture of hurt and acceptance is so clearly portrayed. The lines are undeniably soaked in sombre tones, but with an air of absence to them, delivering an uncanny sense of what will be will be.
All in all, the song is an exceptional one that possesses the ability to be painfully truthful, but also get you moving with its complete blend of genre and style. Rossa Murray & the blowin’ winds are, without a doubt, a group to keep your eye on. With their expertly combined influences from generations past and tones of modern folk, rock and soft electronica, their songs are incredibly original, clever and all around brilliant to listen to, and I can’t recommend them enough.
– About The Author –
Sienna Filipetto
Sienna is an Australian musician who made the move to London last year. She’s developed a massive love for the UK music scene, and is keen to write a lot more about all it has to offer.
Catch Kevin’s interview with Ollie Chanin today here: https://thesoundsniffer.com/2020/03/26/in-conversation-with-ollie-chanin/
Our Track Of The Week: Jan Wagner / Kapitel 28
https://thesoundsniffer.com/2020/03/23/monday-mood-music-jan-wagner-kapitel-28/
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