Siri Neel has appeared several times before in NMC but not for a while. Identified from the get-go as a ‘sound-alike’ for Kate Bush (and she actually is although she probably dislikes the connection intensely by now) she famously quit her safe job to become a pop star, the equivalent of leaving the accounts office, four weeks annual holiday and a pension plan to join the circus, and we have previously noted the strong melodies she crafts.
Her latest single ‘West Street’ is about letting go of self-consciousness, stopping over-thinking and staying curious about who you can become, rather than remaining as one fixed version of yourself and was inspired by the songwriting freedom she found while studying in England. She wrote it as an anthem to herself.
The theme is similar in nature to a previous song we featured, ‘Disappear’, which tackled the nonsense (as she saw it) of living in fear. In other words Siri enjoys decrying self analysis by engaging in a little self analysis.
“I think; therefore I can” perhaps?
There is a West Street in my home town, in the centre. It’s pretty nondescript but it’s on several bus routes and runs past the Civic Centre and Health Centre to the windswept Bus Station and down at heel town centre shops. I wouldn’t write a song about it even if I could.
Siri’s ‘West Street’ is rather more posh if she’s referring to the one in Brighton, on the English south coast where she was educated at the BIMM (British & Irish Modern Music Institute). It was the city’s most upmarket street and exclusive residential address in the 18th Century, full of large detached houses.
But that was then. More recently it has morphed into a high-energy nightlife hub and one of Brighton’s primary party destinations.
Unfortunately I can’t confirm if it is that nightlife that inspired Siri to consider what she could ‘become’ (and arguably has done). My one criticism of the song is that her voice isn’t sufficiently well mixed to hear her lyrics properly once it gets going (and it’s a fast burner).
But putting that aside, musically it’s as upbeat as you’ll hear from an alt-pop artist, its chock full of hooks, has a nice little chord progression in the verses, and is complemented by top-level musicianship by her band.
And there’s no sign of Kate Bush. Cyndi Lauper, perhaps. And Jane Wiedlin.
(Continues after the Spotify link).
The song is again produced by UK-based producer Mark Flannery, with whom she teamed up while living in England several years ago. Composed by Beth Robb and Joshua Bell.
‘West Street’ is the second single from her forthcoming EP ‘I think I said something’.
Find her on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sirineel8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siri_neel/
