Since 2020, Conal Hill has been diligently working away at these production skills and, six years later, his solo project has finally begun to make its way out of the DAW and into the world. Of course, we all remember what happened in 2020 and it was that time of social distancing that led the Irish-English multi-instrumentalist down the production route. He’d been playing in indie bands across Hackney for years, but it was when he was cut off from London’s vibrant music scene that he explored what he could create by himself. And thus, Summerhouse came into being.
The first of those tracks was ‘All I Know’ and now Hill is back with his sophomore single, ‘Burn All Night’. Sitting at a crossroads between indie, pop and synth, it’s reminiscent of the 2013-2014 eras of bands like The Neighbourhood and Bombay Bicycle Club. This nostalgic approach really enhances the sense of late-night longing and unmoored love at the heart of this song. As guest vocalist blackbird (Angie Robba) sings, “I just wanna know baby, when you find me in the dark, will you light me up and kiss me really hard.”
These wistful lyrics and dreamy melodies play nicely against the organic backdrop of shimmering synths, patterned drums, glockenspiel touches and layered guitars. There’s definitely a sense of intimacy, but it goes beyond that, it’s about that desire to be close to someone and to be carried by your emotions. In this way, ‘Burn All Night’ is a narrative prequel to ‘All I Know’, showing the fervent excitement and bubbling uncertainty of a romantic connection before it all goes wrong.
With a four-track EP on the horizon, there’s still more to come from Summerhouse, so keep a close eye on this one.
You can also listen to ‘Burn All Night’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
Follow Summerhouse:
UNRECORDED 