Multi-instrumentalist, poet and vocalist Sarah Shiels has released the single ‘Fell In Love With Myself’ which she describes as “a celebration of self-love and empowerment, perfect for those mornings when you need a reminder of your own strength.” Sarah may be familiar to regular readers as she plays bass in longtime Joyzine favourites Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels.
The song is a lilting ballad that floats on pulsing synth bass and strings, an evolution in writing style that was helped by producer John Andrew. But despite the modern electronics I got a strong sense that it harked back to classic pop songs of the 1950s and shares some DNA with Patti Page’s ‘Old Cape Cod’ (a song sampled by Groove Armada on the track ‘At The River’), and I could imagine Nelson Riddle providing a lush string arrangement.
Sarah Shiels voice is strong enough to be soft and yet still shine through. The delivery is beautifully languid as notes slide effortlessly, and this unhurried approach reinforces a sense of revelling in the moment. Everything is allowed to breathe, making this a perfect match for a song that’s unapologetically ‘me-first’.
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Review by Paul F Cook
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