Southey, the indie folk artist known to cause massive, gut-wrenching feelings with introspective words from the intensity contained in his music, does just that on his latest single, “Into The Sea.” It really communicates all his exceptional emotional depth by serving up a thoroughly immersive listening experience, which brings you right into his world.
“Into The Sea” was penned, recorded, and produced entirely in the aforementioned intimate rooftop studio overlooking the crystal-clear beaches of Manly. It contains gorgeous acoustic guitar sounds peppered by gentle percussion, with a delicate tinkling of keys. With the added warm and inviting vocals of Southey, in layers of harmonies, the profound emotional aspect shines through, making this single stand out among the back catalogue.
“Into The Sea” takes one on a hauntingly beautiful journey, through themes of love, loss, and ultimately self-discovery. The lyrics tell a compassionate story of yearning and looking for one’s self amidst quivering melodies and dolorous harmonies. Such lines as “If I know now / If I found out / I would throw my phone into the sea / Oh like you did me” capture an element of raw and often painful heartache typical of such quests for closure.
The song was crafted so intricately, layering acoustic guitars and atmospheric soundscapes into otherworldly experience that forced the listener into Southey’s emotional landscape. The single shows more of his intimate songwriting compared with his past work, in lines like the following: “I don’t remember who I was last week / Nice to meet you, let’s start over again / Can we just stay here, please just one more drink / Nice to meet you, let’s start over again.” Universal longings for a fresh start and the transience of personal identity are deep undercurrents that have many consequences in today’s fast world.
The chorus, “If I go now / If I storm out / Would you lay your arms down over me?” acts like an earnest plea to get through and make sense of the otherwise blurry and confusing mess of broken relationships. This one delivered with the added drama that Southey’s ever-emotive performance brings to everything, and paired with the haunting instrumentation of the song, it does set itself in the memory bank of the listener.
The music of Southey is inspired by its experiences, which bring to the world about natural beauty. This translates into songs that speak of the rawness of emotion. His unique sound, combined with his heartfelt performances, has won him both a loyal following and wide critical acclaim within the indie music scene.
Into The Sea is a single for those looking to plunge into an introspective and deeply moving musical affair.
You can listen to ‘Into The Sea’ below: