“Swim Deep” by BROOKFIELD - A Song Feature

      The commitment to his song is reflected in the nuanced artistic beauty of “Swim Deep.” Following a calming atmospheric intro, the song from BROOKFIELD is driven by impassioned vocals from a single source, but with two slightly offset personas. In the lyrics at the bottom of this post, the lines of one persona are in italics. The difference is subtle, but powerful.

      While the start of “Swim Deep” wraps the listener in an emotional warmth, the final portion reaches out to more basic impulses. At 3:20, a skillfully executed percussion-driven crescendo is launched. When the apex of the crescendo is reached, distant vocals are heard, then “Swim Deep” abruptly stops.

      The warmth radiated during most of the song is not reflective of the lyrical content. The press materials accompanying “Swim Deep” describe the single as a reflection of BROOKFIELD’s own struggle with depression and “looking at each side of the coin - falling out or just about staying afloat.”

     BROOKFIELD is Duncan Brookfield from London. His story has a connection with Carole King, who released albums in the early 1970s (including “Tapestry”) after years of playing roles in the releases of other artists. For three years, Brookfield worked with and for friends and clients in their musical endeavors. He is now returning to his music. He explains:

  "It took me a while to get the confidence to release my own music again. I wanted to make sure I don’t have any doubts about who I am in my music and to not leave any stone unturned.”

     “Swim Deep” by BROOKFIELD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookfieldmusicuk

Website: https://www.iambrookfield.uk/

Lyrics of “Swim Deep” by BROOKFIELD

You’re gracious on the outside

Is it hard, being alright?

You complicate the daytime

I see your arms in the daylight

A one-way ticket to the cold knife

Are you a sight for the sore eyes?

Can I kick the habit? Hold tight

Yeah hold tight

No, I’m dealing with my old pain

I’m a sucker for my old ways

(Matters dark, shut your eyes, did you feel it coming?)

(Did you reach for something?)

Pull the sword out

Know I’m dealing with my old pain

I’m a sucker for my old ways

(Buzzer’s up, just your luck, you could see it coming)

(But you’re breathing heavy)

Pull the sword out

Cause I’ve fallen off the night ride

Could’ve seen the morning through

See the morning through

And if I want to sacrifice the solace

I know your head’s a jungle too

Yeah it’s a jungle too

No, I’m dealing with my old pain

I’m a sucker for my old ways

(Matters dark, shut your eyes, did you feel it coming?)

(Did you reach for something?)

Pull the sword out

Know I’m dealing with my old pain

I’m a sucker for my old ways

(Buzzer’s up, just your luck, you could see it coming)

(But you’re breathing heavy)

Pull the sword out

[Instrumental]

(Pull the sword out)

(You’ll never be good enough, you’ll never, you’ll never)

(Pull the sword out)

(You’ll never be good enough, you’ll never, you’ll never)

(Pull the sword out)

(You’ll never be good enough, you’ll never, you’ll never)

okay? by The Royal Foundry – A Song Feature

     The intro of the single “okay?” is a cinematic unrolling of a lush red carpet. The carpet leads to a song that masterfully weaves elements from different genres into a sophisticated texture and a much needed reassuring chorus of “It’s gonna be okay.” Better yet, The Royal Foundry released an entertaining video that features two separated astronauts struggling to reunite.

     Fans of different genres will disagree as to which contribution raises “okay?” above other praiseworthy songs. For us, the Rock-ready guitar hooks have a unavoidable magnetic attraction. For example, at 1:36, the guitar travels with the power percussion to enhance the determination of the vocals. But what about the Folk Pop catchy chorus, particularly in the last minute, when a more distant voice echoes the resolve of the forefront vocals? Additionally, “okay?” is another song in which The Royal Foundry fit video game sounds into one their singles (for example, at 3:24. And is that a distant Pac-Man in the fadeout final 12 seconds?)

     “okay?” is the third single from The Royal Foundry 2019 album, “WAKEUP WAKEUP.” The voices on the single belong to the wife-and-husband team of Jared and Bethany Salte. They are based in Sherman Park in Alberto, Canada. For the video, The Royal Foundry teamed with animator Hudson Munshaw, who is based in Calgary, AB. They describe the video as:

  “The story of two astronauts in space falling apart and ultimately being separated on two worlds. We follow their struggle with these worlds and the paranormal as they try find each other again. The first part of the story is told through the video and the second part resolves the story in comic book form, which will be available for purchase as a digital download or a limited edition physical copy on the band’s website in the coming months. http://www.theroyalfoundry.com.”

     okay? by The Royal Foundry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRoyalFoundry

Website: http://www.theroyalfoundry.com/

Bandcamp: https://theroyalfoundry.bandcamp.com/album/wakeup-wakeup

“Saving Grace” by Kodaline – A Song Feature

     A strength of the Irish band Kodaline is their vocal purity. So, when a Kodaline song is a vocal standout within the band’s discography, it is powerful. The most recent release from their upcoming album is indeed powerful. “Saving Grace” radiates warmth with a passionate tribute to a loved one. Kodaline explains:

  ‘Saving Grace’ is a song about that special person in your life who is there for you no matter what. It’s a song that means a lot to all of us, as we all rely on people in our personal lives to be there and support us though the high and lows of our career.”

     The video for “Saving Grace” is as endearing as the song. Kodaline invited fans to submit video clips showing their stay-at-home lives while protecting themselves and their community from the coronavirus. The video is an accumulation of as many clips as possible.

     On June 12, Kodaline will release the 10-song album “One Day At A Time.” It will be the band’s fourth album. “Saving Grace” joins “Sometimes” and “Wherever You Are” as songs that evidence an increased focus on relatable lyrics set to a pleasing melody via lush vocalization. To pre-order the album, CLICK HERE.

      The members of Kodaline are Steve Garrigan (vocals, piano), Mark Prendergast (guitar), Jason Boland (bass), and Vinny May (drums). They are based in Dublin.

     “Saving Grace” by Kodaline 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kodaline

Website: http://kodaline.com/

Lyrics of “Saving Grace” by Kodaline

When you're out in the open

And you're tired of hoping

I'll be there in a moment

I'll be by your side

When you're scared and you're lonely

When there's no one to hold you

I just want you to know that

I'll be by your side

You keep me strong

When I can't carry on

When you lose your feet

Fall down to your knees

And your heart's about to break

I will be your saving grace

When your eyes can't see

Take my eyes from me

When you're lost and losing faith

I will be your saving grace

Be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you be my, be my, be my saving grace

When my heart's getting older

And my body is breaking down

In my head yeah I know that I'll be by your side

I don't know about the future

No one knows what the future holds

All I know is I know that I'm giving you my life

You keep me strong

When I can't carry on

When you lose your feet

Fall down to your knees

And your heart's about to break

I will be your saving grace

When your eyes can't see

Take my eyes from me

When you're lost and losing faith

I will be your saving grace

Be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you… be my saving grace

You keep me strong

When I can't carry on

When you lose your feet

Fall down to your knees

And your heart's about to break

I will be your saving grace

When your eyes can't see

Take my eyes from me

When you're lost and losing faith

I will be your saving grace

Be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you be my, be my, be my saving grace

Won't you be my, be my, be my saving grace