Spring has definitely sprung here in the southern hemisphere as it is announced today that the magnificent Fazerdaze will be releasing her first LP in seven years – ‘Soft Power’ – on 15 November via Buttrfly/Virgin Music Group. To add sugar and cream to the delectable treat, Fazerdaze celebrates the announcement with the release of the glorious single ‘Cherry Pie’.
Amelia Murray is the creative genius behind Fazerdaze and here at Backseat Mafia we make no bones about our adulation of the multi-instrumentalist singer and producer ever since the release of the incredible debut ‘Morningside’ back in 2017 (see my review here). Mixing a yearning, ethereal blend of indie and dream pop, Murray is without doubt one of the most exciting exports from the land of the long white cloud, in the company of legendary bands like The Chills, The Clean and The Bats.
‘Cherry Pie’ expands the many vivid colours in Fazerdaze’s sonic palette – there is an electronic thrum laced with a motorik beat that is nuanced and layered with the sort of ethereal grace we last experienced with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. And yet it is Murray’s voice and melodies that creates its own space: dreamy, almost ghostly, a laconic insouciance that is still febrile and mesmerising. The trademark chorus and melodies scrape the skies like the great Southern Alps: bold, dramatic, breathtaking.
The lyrics reveal a deep poignancy about the fleeting nature of life:
Youth is running out
we finally feel it now
the years from here get faster
as the lights keep blurring past this car
my mind is changing, forever is fading
so we search for something else
and as we watch the sun go down
everything that we knew then
we don’t know now
there’s a silence breathing through the car
my mind is changing, forever is fading
so we search for something else
Murray says of the single:
‘Cherry Pie’ began as lyrics on my phone during my first overseas trip to LA almost ten years ago. Now, at 31, this song has journeyed with me through many different versions of myself.
It’s epic and statuesque – a thrilling upwards trajectory in Fazerdaze’s progress. On the accompanying music video, Murray says:
Frances and I crafted the video around a character who travels solo, letting go of what no longer serves her to finally take the wheel and steer into her next era.
If as Murray says this is an example of a bedroom stadium record, then stadiums will be comfortably filled with an endearing and transfixing intimacy. ‘Cherry Pie’ is out now and available to stream and download here.
Of the new album, Murray says:
Welcome to ‘Soft Power’. This is what I created during the darkest, loneliest, most tumultuous years of my life—entering womanhood, navigating the world, the music industry, and what I thought was love. In my scariest moments, this album was my anchor for hope, purpose and light. I am so relieved and content to finally share ‘Soft Power’ with you.
You can pre-order ‘Soft Power’ with a special edition Flying Nun vinyl edition here and other formats here.
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