Arts: Music

Heartstopper: The TV Show Boosting Chart Sales

FINN MURPHY | MUSIC EDITOR

Based on the graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper is a British coming of age LGBTQ+ romance series that was released on Netflix at the end of April. Since then, it has become a worldwide success, not just for the actors involved, but also the artists who had music feature in the show too. Research by the Official Charts Company has found that some artists have had their chart sales increase by 1000%. It begs the question, which songs on the soundtrack deserve a place in your playlists?

Orla Gartland – Why Am I Like This?

The 2019 single from the Irish singer-songwriter features in episode two of the series and big fans of Heartstopper will appreciate the link that this song has to the show, as Nick and Charlie ask each other ‘why are we like this?’ multiple times. The track starts slow but builds up to a catchy chorus that you’ll never be able to get out of your head. It is the perfect song to add to your chill pop playlist and Gartland has even released the chords on Instagram for fans to have a go at playing the song for themselves.

Sunflower Bean – Moment in the Sun The American rock band released this song in late 2020 but is now amongst the many tracks that is being discovered for the first time by fans of Heartstopper. The song now has over three million streams on Spotify alone and is the perfect song for the summer. It features in the final episode of the series and perfectly encapsulates the heart-warming love of the series. The band has just released their new album, Headful of Sugar, and they are definitely worth a listen if you are trying to expand your music taste. Baby Queen – Colours of You Baby Queen has more than one song feature in the show, with major tracks such as Dover Beach and fan favourite Want Me both featuring in the first episode of the series. However, it is Baby Queen’s new single, written especially for the show, that should definitely be featured in your playlists, especially if you are a fan of Nick Nelson’s story in particular. Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the show yet, but the song focuses on the character’s acceptance and discovery of his sexuality and is very different to Baby Queen’s other music. Her 2021 album, The Yearbook, could be considered a no-skip album, but Dover Beach is an upbeat track that is the perfect sound for a trip to the beach. Baby Queen has shown with these tracks her musical range and it is very exciting to think about what she will do next. All the tracks featured in Heartstopper are great fits for the show and make up a mix of music perfect for any occasion. The series has become a viral sensation, and if you haven’t been listening to the mixtape on repeat, then you’re missing out.

Source: Instagram, @queenofthebabies

Skinty Fia – Fontaines D.C.: Review

ARIEL TANDIARAK | CONTENT WRITER

The punk revival of the last decade has had its market share be battled out, yet again, between America and the UK. Despite American tastes favouring mainstream revivalists like Avril Lavigne’s Love Sux and Machine Gun Kelly’s mainstream sellout albums, the UK seem to be embracing fresh young talent with Wet Leg, Shame, and Dry Cleaning making an impact in the scene. But now Ireland is bringing a new contender into the ring, kicking their foot through the punk rock gates with Fontaines D.C.’s new album Skinty Fia.

The Irish post-punk outfit are part of the new Irish punkrock wave that sees the likes of Inhaler, The Murder Capital, and Just Mustard intercept a bit of Irishness into the predominantly British scene. Their newest album reached number one in the UK and Irish charts, a big step up from their two previous top ten scoring albums. The album touches on themes of love, addiction, and displacement dabbled with Gaelic references, all narrated through the monotone sprechgesang of lead singer Grian Chatten. Complimenting him are the indie-like melodies from Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley on guitar. Contrary to the guitars, the grungy bass, thanks to Conor Deegan III, acts as the gloomy backbone of the albums mysterious tone while the drums’ catchy grooves drive the beat of each song. The standout tunes to look out for in this album are Skinty Fia, How Cold Love Is, Jackie Down The Line and I Love You as they depict the musical narrative of the album perfectly. As a result of their recent successes, the bands subsequent relocation to London appeared troubling enough to inspire the dislocating theme heard throughout the album as they struggled to express their Irishness in the bustling city. The Gaelic title, translating to ‘the damnation of the deer’, alongside the cover art represent the themes explored within the album whilst also mimicking the overall gloomy atmosphere heard throughout. The wondering deer renders the bands feeling of isolation of not only being new to London but also living there under the lockdowns of the pandemic. It’s almost as if their moody album was unknowingly made and released to sooth the feeling of seclusion we’ve all felt and still sometimes feel because of the effects of lockdown, not only in the UK and Ireland but internationally as well. The angsty and anxious feeling the album exudes is also befitting to the uncertainty of the post-pandemic world. Fontaines D.C.’s creative decision to dim the mood in their latest release looks to solidify their seriousness to the craft. Skinty Fia differs to their previous releases because of the band’s closer emotional attachment with themselves and their listeners that lyrically shines through in this release more than it ever has done before. With the unfortunate events that have occurred ever since the world turned upside down, we see their hastily released album serve the purpose of relief with cathartic escapism for listeners old and new.

Source: Instagram - @fontainesband