Following the immersive textures of ‘Transcendental Meditation’ and the quietly anthemic ‘Read My Mind’, Liverpool’s Heron returns with ‘Dead To It’, making it a hat-trick of genre-blurring, boundary-defying tracks. While we’ve been drawn to each of these releases for their own special virtues, this latest single feels especially poignant as the representation of the musician’s more vulnerable side. From the beginning, ‘Dead To It’ sweeps us up in a lo-fi warmth and intimate production, which is deftly woven with Heron’s signature blend of alt-pop, psychedelia and folksy soul.
Led by a double-tracked acoustic guitar, ‘Dead To It’ pulls us into an instantaneously personal space that seems more like a stream-of-consciousness within an individual’s own psyche rather than your typical song. Fitting in with this introspective tone, the falsetto harmonies float over a sombre piano and expansive yet subtle strings. With this track, Heron takes on the spirit of some of our most meaningful songwriters, from Beck to Elliott Smith to Sufjan Stevens to Thom Yorke.
Although for the most part this graveside confessional is a hushed affair, there are moments of cathartic release. It’s a reminder of the tumultuous and unpredictable process of growth; one might begin to heal or find acceptance only to uncover a new pain to be reckoned with. There’s no direct route to peace, but Heron reminds us that it’s a worthy pursuit. Further amplifying this track’s emotional impact is a one-shot music video focussed on Heron‘s expressive performance.
As with everything we’ve seen and heard so far, ‘Dead To It’ builds momentum for this forthcoming album, Underground Sky.
You can also listen to ‘Dead To It’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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