DEMOS

Image: Lottie Willis

WORDS: MARTIN TROLLOPE

DEMO OF THE MONTH

Lottie Willis – Safe Inside

When Safe Inside opens with a stuttering, almost garagey electronic drumbeat, it’s difficult to know what to expect. But the second the vocal comes in, you instantly realise that you’re listening to something that could, and probably should, be an absolutely massive hit. Safe Inside is simultaneously understated and powerful, with Willis’ cool vocal effortlessly soaring around a pristine pop melody to make something truly special. The subtle production uses warm, non-intrusive sounds to create a dark and brooding atmosphere, hinting at the dangers of the outside, but it’s still a comfortable place to hide. This is definitely a songwriter and a voice that sound incredible inside, but you will certainly be hearing everywhere you go soon enough. www.facebook.com/lottiewillismusic

Ami McGuinness – Channel 4

In Channel 4, we find an entirely understandable frustration with the climate around us, combining with a real desire for the life experiences that make us all human. Despite this, there remains a palpable sense of hope emanating from the slow burning rhythms, right from the opening guitar strum. It’s a deeply personal song, but one that will speak easily to the vast majority of us, with the emotive vocal delivery perfectly matching the honest, poetic lyric. The arrangement is brought together with a simple but effective country rhythm section, reminiscent of some of the great American singer-songwriter albums of the early ‘70s. Channel 4 floats past us while somehow remaining firmly grounded in the roots we all share. www.facebook.com/amixmcg

Take The Night – Teenage

Teenage Love feels like one of those songs that I’ve known for my entire life. There’s a lot of the classic ‘80s keyboard sounds that have made a resurgence over the last few years through synthwave and Stranger Things, and that’s no bad thing. It’s triumphant and immediate, and full of catchy little hooks with the sort of chorus that will be stuck in your head before you know it. It’s warm and nostalgic, but still individual enough to not just be a tribute, with lyrics that hark back to our younger days and fondly remembered naïve romances. I’d guess it might be a bit too ‘80s for some, but it’s a great song regardless of the decade. www.takethenight.bandcamp.com

Cait – He Sells Sea Shells

At once cinematic and gentle, intimate and open, He Sells Sea Shells makes clever use of contrasts to tell a really fascinating story. We hear the calm sea lapping at the beach intermittently throughout, while the consistent, up-tempo acoustic guitar somehow creates a downbeat base for a tale of surviving the end of a relationship. There’s a fascinating use of space in this recording, that makes you feel like you’re inside the story and watching it at the same time. It’s a beautifully self-aware song, seeming to focus on questioning the past and coming to terms with the fact that love can obscure the truth of our relationships, while finding enough strength to accept it and move on. www.oceanhearted.bandcamp.com

R-Brew – FIBBER (Hammy Goes To London)

Using minimalist techno techniques to maximal effect, FIBBER is another piece that thrives on antithesis. The four-to-the-floor dance rhythms provide consistency, while the drones and found sounds slowly evolve around them. You’d could actually be forgiven for feeling like nothing changes throughout it, but that’s where FIBBER really gets you. Listening to it is almost like watching something grow; not noticing the changes until you think back to how it was before. The second half seems to become a new piece, like a DJ is mixing in the next record, but there’s enough remnants and hints to remind you of where you are, with a really satisfying reprise of the excellent vocal sample refrain right at the end. www.soundcloud.com/r-brew