In the back of all our minds we have that lingering regret of “what if?” It’s a commonality of the human experience that some may want to wish away, but for some, this unanswered question triggers the imagination. That’s the case with promising Scottish musician Archie Topp whose debut single ‘Could Have Been’ ruminates on an almost-encounter with a mysterious person. It’s someone whose impression he hasn’t been able to shake from his thoughts.
As Archie Topp says, “’Could Have Been’is about not shooting your shot with someone and wondering what could have been. It’s a situation that I’ve had before, and I think it’s funny how it can get you down despite having no idea if you’d even have gotten on. I guess it’s hard to lose the fantasies you build up in your head. I wanted my first single to be upbeat and punchy, whilst still having the more chill, indie-vibe of artists such as ‘Bombay Bicycle Club’ and ‘The Brook and the Bluff’. The result is a song that people can put on for a chill mood, but with choruses fit for a party atmosphere as well.”
Built on light indie-rock textures, the single strikes the balance between whimsical fantasy and foolish delusion; the stuff that youth is made of. In fact, the whole song is immersed in a youthful energy, whether that’s the simple upbeat percussion, dreamy synth keys or floating guitar melodies. It’s not to be taken too seriously, rather Topp portays the relatable figure of someone who didn’t take their chance, as you’ll hear in lyrics like, “As I move I can see I made a mistake, it’s kinda funny.” It’s par for the course in this thing we call life.
Some of you who keep close tabs on the Scottish music scene might already be familiar with Archie Topp, who has received acclaim as part of indie-rock outfit BOOTlace. They’ve graced the stages of some of the country’s most well-known venues, such as King Tut’s and Mash House. However, this solo project sees a more introspective, singer-songwriter side of the Archie Topp, and we can’t wait to hear more.
You can listen to ‘Could Have Been’ in our Indie Rockers and Shades of Pop playlist.
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