California experimental pop band Gold Record recently released the heartfelt single “Big Eyes.” This melodic track will appear on the band’s upcoming full-length album, Desert Soul, set for release in October. “Big Eyes” is a lyrically thought-provoking ballad penned by songwriter Noah Clark. The track is mixed and produced by Nicolas Vernhes, known for his work with Dirty Projectors, Animal Collective, and The War on Drugs. Gold Record creates peaceful yet vibrant soundscapes with this summer single.
Pulling from local inspiration, the band set out to record this project around Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert. “Big Eyes” whispers evocative lyrics like, “You’re talking like you’d run this bar here better. The scent of the ink from old love letters lingers like the scars from times you’d met her…when the chords you borrowed were the only ones she liked.”
Our Review of “Big Eyes” by Gold Record
For fans ofDirty Projectors, Tame Impala, Passion Pit, or LCD Soundsystem
The downtempo style of “Big Eyes” perfectly suits this heartfelt ballad. The atmosphere of the chorus allows the listener to reflect on the story while consuming soul-stirring melodies. Lyrically, the track hits the scope of the emotions that Noah Clark is sharing. “Big Eyes” is a nice contrast to some of Gold Record’s previous singles. Furthermore, this song shows the depth Gold Record has to offer as songwriters, performers, and recording artists.
If you’re looking for some chill-out desert vibe tracks, you will appreciate the laidback style and grooves of Gold Record. Songs like “Big Eyes,” “The Groove Infinite,” and “Azalea Charms” capture the feeling of the desert heat and palm trees waving. Kick back and meditate to these breezy and transcendent tunes for the end of summer.
Check out the “Big Eyes” music video below and be on the lookout for the band’s full-length album, Desert Soul, coming October 2023.
The dynamic pop duo from Leeds, U.K., Lucky Iris, releases maybe i’m too much, the group’s most recent EP. Lucky Iris is Maeve Florsheim and Jasper Exley, forming their group just before the height of the pandemic in 2020. POETRY DANS LA RUE has followed Lucky Iris since the release of “Get Ready With Me,” an addicting pop track that can pair with any Reel or TikTok.
On maybe i’m too much, the group follows a reflective journey with candid lyrics juxtaposed by energetic pop music. Lucky Iris comes into their sound and pushes the limits, especially with tracks like “23” and “blowing kisses.” Recently, the group had their songs featured on BBCR1, Love Island, and BBC Introducing…which mark major career highs for the duo.
We catch up with Lucky Iris to gush over the release of maybe i’m too much and chat about all things behind the scenes.
Interview ft. Lucky Iris
POETRY DANS LA RUE: It’s so wild to reflect on when we first connected in 2020 for the release of “Get Ready With Me.” I love seeing how you guys have evolved in the past few years!
LUCKY IRIS: “We wrote those first tracks just before the pandemic. The lockdown was pretty quick here in the U.K., so it was a lot of calling between the two of us trying to release the songs. It was nice to have people like you pick up on it early. It reassured us that people were enjoying the music.”
‘maybe i’m too much’ EP
PDLR: So, your EP, maybe i’m too much, is out now! I remember listening to “23” when it came out. I noticed the production and was enamored by how it captivates the listener. Then I dove into the lyrics and the meaning of the track. I felt like this one set the bar!
LUCKY IRIS: “Since lockdown, the production has been self-taught by both of us, and we’ve been able to craft and produce our own music for the first time. We’ve had so much more time to sit with the tracks and sounds to make it feel how we want. I’m glad to hear you picked up on it.
When we first started and made “Get Ready With Me,” we wanted to make music that we wanted to listen to. The kind of music and the soundscapes have changed in a couple of years, but we still like that concept. We’ve grown into this sound, and this is the first time we’ve put our spin on all of it.”
PDLR: That’s awesome, and it shows on the tracks! Did you work with anyone else in the making of this EP?
LUCKY IRIS: “So it’s produced by just us, doing everything ourselves. We sent it off for the final production to be mixed by Richard Wilkinson, who has worked with Adele. Then it went to mastering in Denmark by Antony Ryan, who works with Oh Wonder.
We love writing songs, and we love producing, but it’s nice to have more ears to hear it in different spaces. It also helps to raise the sound quality and elevate the tracks. Our aspiration for this EP was to do what we’re doing but take it to the next level.”
“I think “23” will still resonate when I’m turning 53 because it’s the same retrospective idea of where you are at the time.”
PDLR: Can you provide more insight into the writing process of the EP and discuss what you were pulling from for the material?
LUCKY IRIS: “We were in a better headspace after lockdown and getting back into a normal routine. It was exploring the ways that we’ve grown. So with “23,” it was the idea of where we are now after these last couple of years. It feels like we blinked and woke up in 2023.
Now, I’m in my twenties, and I’m trying to be present, but you have all of these pressures. I realized that some of the things I want have changed since 2020. It comes with getting older in general; the ideas of what I want for my life are changing. The song is about that and how it’s not necessarily a good or bad thing.
I think “23” will still resonate when I’m 52, turning 53, because it’s the same retrospective idea of where you are at that time. You’re always reflecting.”
PDLR: I think the idea you explore on “23” is relatable to many different generations. People could be going through significant life changes and reflecting on where they are at any given time.
LUCKY IRIS: “Out of all the tracks, “23” is quite emotional because it perfectly captures the feeling of us coming out of lockdown and feeling a bit lost. Our entire EP is like this growth period, and “maybe i’m too much” is also a special track because it’s one of the first we wrote as a backdrop to the EP.
I think it started as quite a sad track about taking in all the impressions other people have of us. It has since grown as we’ve changed it into a rather joyful track. It’s about realizing those things don’t matter, and you shouldn’t give time to people who want to change you. The lyrics stayed the same, but the meaning was different. It’s saying, well, ‘maybe I’m too much, but maybe that doesn’t matter at all.’
“oh no (i guess i did it again)” worked similarly because it started as a trivial argument in a pub. It ended with this idea that I won’t allow people to tell me where I belong, and their opinion doesn’t matter. I didn’t necessarily write it expecting those feelings, but it’s very cathartic.”
“Having our songs be on the main radio station we listened to growing up was a huge pinch-me moment.”
PDLR: I’ve had “blowing kisses” in my head for the past few weeks; it’s definitely an earworm! I also saw that you recently had both of your latest singles on BBC Radio 1.
LUCKY IRIS: “We were so excited about that. It’s something we always dreamed about. Having our songs be on the main radio station we listened to growing up was a huge pinch-me moment. It was nice to have validation and achieve a longtime goal. After hearing “oh no (i guess i did it again)” and soaking it all in, they played “blowing kisses” the following week. To have that kind of reassurance meant a lot.”
PDLR: That’s exciting to have traction with the EP coming out!
“We like the juxtaposition of the lyrics being more melancholy and the feeling more energetic.”
PDLR: Any specific influences or something you were listening to while you were making maybe i’m too much?
LUCKY IRIS: “We listened to a lot of hyper-pop music because it brought us a lot of joy and put us in the mindset. We fell in love with more and more artists in that niche, and now we’ve kind of created our version of that. So, there may be some more surprises along the lines of that style to come. Some of the artists we had on rotation were Rina Sawayama, Tove Lo, Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, and Kim Petras. We like the juxtaposition of the lyrics being more melancholy and the feeling more energetic.”
Upcoming Events for Lucky Iris
PDLR: Do you have any special events or shows coming up?
LUCKY IRIS: “We’re doing an intimate record store show on August 11th when the EP comes out. We’ll play the EP in full live and celebrate with friends. Then we’ve got a tour booked TBA soon, touring most of the U.K. We are eager to get the music out there and perform it for everyone.”
Listen to the brand new EP, ‘maybe i’m too much,’ from Lucky Iris below, and follow them on social media to keep up with their latest news.
The latest vinyl pressings from Soul Step Records are all about badass women in the independent music scene. The first represses of the month came from fan-favorite The Local Honeys, the Kentucky-based bluegrass duo of Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs. The 2017 release, Little Girls Actin’ Like Men, often connects with fans of Margo Price, Tyler Childers, and The Highwomen. One of their most popular tracks, “Cigarette Trees,” kicks off the album with a banjo, a fiddle, and some surprising lyrics. “I Love You, Charlene” showcases the epic storytelling ability of this duo.
The Gospel (2019) speaks for itself with titles like “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven,” “First Church of God,” and a brilliant live cover of “Amazing Grace.” Yet, The Gospel is innovative in its own way, blending aspects of rock, gospel, and bluegrass. Picturesque mountains are calling by means of a fiddle, a banjo, and the harmonic voices of these two women.
Indie pop artist, Darity, inspired by the suffix in “soli-Darity,” is the multi-genre project of Linsley Hartenstein. Her introspective and melodic music resonates with fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Kate Bush, or The Japanese House. Her most recent EP, You Choose What Remains, is a must-hear record for indie music fans. “Pretending” is a dreamy introductory track to the EP, combining whimsical lyrics and lush guitar arrangements. Get in your feels with “Stay Home,” as Darity’s soft vocals transport you to a place of solace. The B-side of the vinyl contains four bonus tracks, never before featured on vinyl.
Visit Soul Step Records to purchase any of these records. Subscribe to have first dibs on all new releases. Darity’s You Choose What Remains releases to subscribers this SATURDAY, July 22nd.
