Perry Blake – Death of a Society Girl
The beautifully created album “Death Of A Society Girl” by Irish singer-songwriter Perry Blake was co-written and co-produced by his longtime partner Graham Murphy, who is well-known for his work with Clannad, Sharon Shannon, and Marie Brennan. With Murphy’s flexibility as an instrumentalist, the album explores a variety of musical landscapes while presenting Blake’s characteristic ethereal approach.
1. Requiem: With ethereal tones and Blake’s tender, Bryan Ferry-like vocals, “Requiem” is the album’s opening track. At 1:16, the music becomes more intense while still having a romantic feel. The album’s mood is reflective and atmospheric, helped by its lush orchestration.
2. One Of These Days: This track begins with romantic piano chords that lead into neo-classical strings at 0:30. When the beat arrives at 0:43, it blends with the strings to create a dreamy, danceable atmosphere with a touch of trip-hop in the percussion. The result is a hauntingly beautiful piece.
3. Nobody’s Child: Blake’s vocals on “Nobody’s Child” have a surrealistic quality similar of David Bowie, accompanied with slow percussion and an acoustic guitar. The electric bass at 0:58 enhances the song with a rich, 1980s orchestral feel. A nostalgic yet modern neoclassical pop song is produced by the interweaving strings.
4. Song Of The Wind: “Song Of The Wind” features acoustic instruments and Blake’s ethereal voice in a folk-inspired mood. The sorrowful beauty of the song is enhanced by the arrangement’s simplicity and purity.
5. Let’s Fall In Love: “Let’s Fall In Love” is a notable tune that begins with dreamy synth pads. Its new-age approach reminds me of Enya and the music from the 1980s film “The Legend.” It’s an attractive listen due to to the beautiful background voices and superb production.
6. Concertina: “Concertina” begins as a folk acoustic song, but at 0:41 it changes into a modern romantic song with trip-hop overtones thanks to electronic synthesizers and dance rhythms. The tune seems distinct and modern because of the way the electronic and acoustic parts merge together so well.
7. Rules of Love: This song, which combines Latin-style guitar playing with relaxed pop vocals, creates a danceable atmosphere right away. The romantic spirit of the song is enhanced by the piano and string accompaniment, which makes it feel both vibrant and personalized.
8. Death Of A Society Girl (feat. Paul McGann): The title track is a soul-infused R&B ballad with a guitar feel characteristic of 1970s AOR (West Coast). In order to provide a nostalgic yet modern vibe, Paul McGann’s narration brings a cinematic touch that melds perfectly with Blake’s smooth sound.
9. Hummingbirds: The opening piano-driven section of “Hummingbirds” is accompanied by more acoustic components, which create a romantic, movie-like ambiance. The tune stands out in the storyline of the album because of its slow tempo and strings, which deepen the emotional impact of the song.
10. Let’s Fall in Love (Remix): The “Let’s Fall in Love” remix keeps the song’s new-age vocal sound while introducing a deeper beat that reveals a more enigmatic side. The beat gets increasingly complicated around 2:13, when dubstep components easily integrate into the already sophisticated mix.
Perry Blake’s album “Death Of A Society Girl” illustrates how to combine many musical styles into an enjoyable and emotionally charged narrative. Blake’s ethereal vocals are given depth and complexity by co-producer Graham Murphy’s musical contributions, which turn this album into an astonishingly beautiful trip through romance, nostalgia, and reflection. Every track presents a different experience, mixing together elements of trip-hop, R&B, folk, and new age to create an atmosphere that is classic.
Photo Credit: photo by Sid Rainey
