SINGLE REVIEW - FIRST TIME FLYERS - STAY

Having been there for the original unveiling of First Time Flyers, and their fabulous opening single "Happier", C2C 2025 provided an opportunity to catch up and see how they were progressing. Allocated the early morning slot at The Indigo, they were boosted with a drummer and the marvellous KT Parker on bass, They retained a lot of their enthusiasm and humour needed for the audience wake up slot with some still nursing a hangover while others cradled an early morning livener.

#TEAMw21 didn't catch all of the set but enough to see that their live presentation was now a lot more polished. They've retained their tag team vocal style during songs which has become their unique selling point in some ways despite our initial misgivings about whether that could work long term.

A song given an airing was the new single "Stay", which has achieved one of the major steps to breaking through on a larger scale by making the Radio 2 playlist. It is a production that both gives a hint as to the acoustic origins of the song and then layers on just about every bell and whistle to grab your attention, and there's no denying that it does that, with the elongated "Stay" of the chorus demanding a singalong while the incessant drum beats tease your toes to tap along.

The opening sees the FTF, announcing that stretched title over little more than a few piano notes, before the acoustic guitar and drum beats kick in, setting a sense of urgency. It is later joined by clapping, a definite country guitar solo, a prominent banjo and a host of production tricks, like Poppy Fardell's scene stealing cameo mid way through.

The uptempo vibe though does perhaps obscure the more serious sensitive undertones of the lyrics, or perhaps they are hidden there like a DVD Easter egg for you to discover once the song has won your affections.

"I can tell you need some closure

That you and i are getting closer

I don't know what I'm supposed to do

If you need me to, I'll give you space"

It points to a relationship being overshadowed by unresolved issues from a previous one.

The chorus, is delivered over a pumping rhythm from the accompanying clapping

"You're running away, from every single hopeful heart

That you happen to break - afraid to let it go to far

When the going gets tough and it

Feels like love, but you can't bring yourself to trust

I'm gonna stay"

The second verse continues the concern of before but also starts to draw a line in the sand showing the limitations that this can place on a relationship.

"I know you're used to being in control

You keep your heart locked in a vault

There's only so far we can go"

The majoriy of the lyrics seem to be delivered by Jake & Tim until Poppy Fardell appears with an almost scene stealing cameo - that leads back into the chorus

"Instead of holding you I hope that you're ok

No matter what I do I can't stop you from running away"

With a sudden ending the FTF effectively aurally mug you and then disappear before you even know what has hit you, leaving you with that "Stay ay ay" chorus ringing in your ears.

This single is all part of the preamble up to a deut album due on 12th Sept and a tour detailed below.