it's such a lovely day

This is a new song by The Gorgeous Colours. It is called 'It's Okay to be Normal', and it is very fine indeed. It shows, once again, their singular knack for a beautifully catchy little melody - in this case, played wistfully on a breezy synth - that sounds somehow both universally catchy, yet tailor-made for you. In fact, it sounds so natural and self-evidently delightful, that it might be the very first little tune you picked out with such childish joy on that plastic Fisher Price keyboard you got so many Christmasses ago - the one that sounded even better after you left it out in the rain that night. In fact, I think it is. It might even be you playing it now, had things gone a little differently. It's okay that they didn't though. The important thing is that The Gorgeous Colours recorded it, and gave it the attention it deserved, and that it sounds so freewheeling and beautiful. In another world, you made it and played it, and people loved you for it. In another world, everyone understands.

This single will be launched on Thursday in The Workman's Club, and it will be available for free download here.

i want that you are always happy

Months ago, I saw The Middle East come to a Dublin stage, and ramble along, singing, swaying, like a happy wagon of people propelled by their own music down the road, and for one night, it seems you're going the same way.

This song, 'Deep Water', was one of the night's oddest moments. It's so soft and understated that it almost seems like a single wavering note held by one voice, and no more than one member of the band is playing at the same time. It's a tale told by the last person left awake, mumbling and tired and grateful for an audience. You listen, patiently, growing slowly more and more absorbed and involved, and eventually, and with a great shuddering beauty, having brought your eyes to the ground, brimming and wet, the voice finds someone else to sing along, and remembers the rest of the song, and by the time you realise you've been told the end of the story, you're looking up at the teller wandering off, away from your path, never turning to look back, and you're trying your best to get the story straight, for whoever you meet next.

This album will be out on June 3rd. Learn more here.