As they gear up to release their upcoming album Kawala Collection on January 24th, UK-based indie pop group KAWALA are preemptively nostalgic in their newest single “Old Me.”
Emerging from North London, this five-piece indie pop band is known for their vibrant and playful sound across their music. This new single, however, brings a folk twist, deviating from what they are more often known for. The band pairs indie guitars, synths and ‘80s drum beats with endless layers of echoey falsetto vocals on this track in a way that can only be described as a mildly upbeat Bon Iver.
“Old Me,” perhaps obvious in its title, is a love letter to one’s past self. Through nostalgic contemplation, this single appreciates the journey KAWALA have taken and welcomes the opportunities that will later come:
“We wrote a song for the people we’ll become. A reminder of who we were and a promise of who we’ll be.”
Written by the band’s singer Jim Higson and guitarist Daniel McCarthy in collaboration with writer/producer Ed Nash, KAWALA deliver optimistic lyrics like, “even at rock bottom / You’ll work it out in time.” While time remains an important theme throughout the track, the singers grimly remind themselves to live in the present because they can never get back the time they once had: “Young man have you forgotten / That one day you will die / So go ahead and live your life.” Finally, they play with past and future tenses symbolizing their hope for a good future, but also one they can be proud to look back on: “Old me better be a nice guy / I hope he’s happy when I get there.”
This single follows four others as KAWALA sets up their colorful “collection,” where they will continue to display their clever songwriting and bask in the sound of their midday sun. The band is also set to go on their UK and European tour this winter following the album’s release, so be sure to catch them at one of their shows!
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