Sobering News

To.Do.List

Minimalist, an art form that if used right can produce a stand out track which can hold its own against the overwhelming flood of over produced, jam packed singles aired across the radio. It can truly lay bare the talent of the performer, allowing you to fully appreciate the level of thought that has gone into the song. Sobering News is one such track.

The latest creation from Manchester based, singer/songwriter, Carmina Marlena Isabella Budworth, aka To.Do.List, Sobering News sees her collaborate with the brilliant songwriter and performer Christian Daniel Holland-Smith. Between them they create a track that is a lesson in how less, can be so much more. With just her voice, a single guitar, and an almost shy drum beat (both performed by Christian), the track immediately envelops you in a mellow wave.

With an opening riff reminiscent of Hendrix during his Voodoo Child phase, the song takes on an almost psychedelic feel. Then it slides seamlessly into a straight, and classic reggae beat where the bass takes the lead and begins to direct the song, while at this point the guitar and the steady down beat take on the role of vessel for Carmina’s delicate vocals.

From this point on the song keeps the reggae roots but at that same time with the combination of the purposefully uneven melody line and the shimmering guitar effect, the song begins to build on its opening, creating a psychedelic dreamscape. Carmina’s vocals increase this atmosphere through the great use of a complimentary harmony line as she sings, creating a haunting tone to her performance.

Speaking to the feel of the song, the music matches up well with the content of the lyrics. On the whole Sobering News seems to be a song about finding lust on a night out. With lyrics like, ‘….all through the night, catching my eye….” And “….we step outside, get intertwined….”, the song speaks to anyone who has fallen in love in the space of one night. However, interestingly enough, there is a change in the lyric that sort of puts a dampening on the songs events. 

In the beginning, the hook is ‘….not over you, just yet….” Seeming to speak to that moment when you keep seeing this person and finding that those tingly feelings are still there. Then, at the end of the song it switches to say “…not under you, just yet….” This seeming to state that actually, the night wasn’t as successful as it seemed. All the while the steady down beat of the music and the swirling guitar add to this picture painted by the lyrics.

Overall this track is definitely worth adding to a playlist, and like mentioned above, just a great example of how keeping things simple can be the right way to go.

If you like what you’ve read, tune in this Friday to Barstool Airplay and hear the single in full.