Sion Hill has released his highly anticipated new single ‘Speak Up’.After leaving Ireland for Berlin, after leaving Berlin for Hamburg, and after leaving Hamburg for the murmuring vastness that is London, Nathan Johnston alias Sion Hill has carefully re-calibrated his musical palette. While his lauded 2017 debut “Elephant” was an eclectic soul-pop wonderland comfortably sitting between a room full of chairs somewhere in Berlin, his relationship with London is manifested in the globetrotters’ latest single, ‘Speak Up’. 

Encased in cosy folk tones and wholesome songwriting ‘Speak Up’ is a warm uplifting slice of infectious pop. With soothing acoustic guitar glimmering through the verses along with clean piano chords, the song has a charming heart warming quality. Johnston shows an honest and vulnerable side to him as he depicts times he felt down and felt left out. The lyrics talk about mustering the courage to tell your surroundings how you really feel and how it’s fine not to feel okay. His soul hued velvety vocals slip into an R&B tone at times before allowing a yelp to take him into country/ traditional folk territory. This bubbling anthem is brimming with hope, good vibes and oodles of charm and Johnston presents this perfectly through his passionate delivery and relatable songwriting. A perky fiddle melody brings a healthy dose of optimism into the song while blood pumping beats and sun kissed soundscapes grace the backdrop in rich prisms of scintillation; ‘Speak Up’ is a vivacious and feel good anthem. It’s ridiculously catchy too. 

Stream ‘Speak Up’ below 

Author : Danu