For most of the year #TEAMw21 rails against the appearance of drum machines on recordings - so it comes as something of a surprise for us to be singing the praises of The Deep Blue's new single "Cynical" where the simple drum rhythm forms the centre of what the rest of the song hangs on - yet there it is repeating itself for nearly three and half minutes minding it's own business.
What makes it seem less obtrusive are the things wrapped around it, the slight sounds of an acoustic guitar, some strings, maybe a touch of keyboards but most definitely the sweet entwining harmonies of The Deep Blue. It weaves a truly hypnotic spell and each time that it plays it is easy to find yourself following a different vocal line.
The Deep Blue themselves describe it as "Have you ever opened your heart to a person even though there was a quiet voice in your head that whispered doubts? You changed yourself and moulded yourself to fit into their life, to make it work. Perhaps you turned off your inner cynic in order to love them but if you had been truly honest with yourself, you always knew you were too different to be together. And after all was said and done and all the tears were cried, after you gave your best and let your walls down, the cynic in you only grows stronger."
The lyrics though deeply personal are delivered in a marvellously understated manner that is a joy to listen to.
"Counting my precious hours - Skipping the dotted lines
Smelling the bitter flowers - and letting your sun outshine mine
She says that it's different now - She's never been more at home
I look at our old four walls - and I watch her tear them all down"
Probably more used to being played on 6 Music rather than UK Country / Americana Radio - The Deep Blue will be appearing at The Long Road Festival in August and we think the Festival will be all the better for their appearance.