NI Music prize nominee Sam Wickens has released his new single ‘Strange.24’ along with a deeply reflective video that encapsulates Sam’s battle with mental illness. Teaming up with DanDanDann Productions they created a video that portrays the battle that many people go through with mental health. A maze of darkness and despair juxtaposed with an ever shining light, it’s a concept many can relate to.Wickens has also announced his new EP ‘Watson’ due for release on 5th February 2021 along with his first live date in over a year at the Workman’s Club, Dublin – 1st April 2021.
Wickens delves deep with his new single ‘Strange.24’. This genre defying artist expands his sonic wall of sound with a soulful pop melody, country hues and electronic elements while a dark, smothering soundscape broods in the background. ‘Strange.24’ pulses with soft synths and emotive laments on guitar as Wickens delivers a compelling and heartfelt vocal delivery.
Warm rasped vocals discuss the acceptance of recovering from a battle with mental illness. “Feeling strange, it all just went away” Wickens is quite the talent. He is able to capture such pain and loneliness within his music and convey this through rich musicianship and mesmerising soundscapes. Melding elements of hope and personal strength with stains of melancholia and despair, the listener is exposed to a very raw and deeply personal facet of the artists consciousness. Wickens’ lyrics carry the weight of not only personal torment but personal growth as well.
As the track progresses the soundscape becomes more cinematic. It builds for the captivating crescendo where – displayed through deft use of instrumentation – the listener is given a sense of clarity, hope and freedom – it is absolutely wonderful.
Beautifully crafted ‘Strange.24’ is a compelling glimpse into the artistic mind of a talented musician.
About the track Sam Wickens said : “Strange.24 is a song about the acceptance of recovering from a battle with mental illness, The feeling of something changing within my life and trying to accept that it is actually happening. After fighting with mental illnesses for such a long time, the possibility of it leaving was a complete myth to me. Life without deep hopelessness seemed strange to me as I was accustomed to the black hole that was my normality. Just as you would need to get used to living in a new home, I had to get used to living as a person that was no longer mentally ill. This song was a therapeutic way to help me move on with my recovery”
Watch the video for ‘Strange.24’ below
Author : Danu
