SINGLE REVIEW: ABIGAYLE OAKLEY - PRESS 3

#TEAMw21 are a little late to the party on this single but having witnessed it being performed live at The Bluebird Cafe it was simply to good to let pass without spreading the word. It comes from an equally impressive EP of which you'll hear more about soon, but for now, just savour the brilliance the is "Press 3"

There are a number of reasons why this recording is so good, firstly Abigayle keeps things musically relatively simple, there is no unnecessary clutter, her singing is endearing, dead panning throughout, not overselling the humour, just letting it gently sink in. Finally "Press 3" written with Erin Enderlin, takes the dreaded phone feedback survey and uses that framework to take us on quite a ride. Quite possibly one of our favourite singles of the year and undoubtedly the most original in a long time.

Hailing from Las Vegas and now based in Nashville, she is billed as being an Indie Folk Artist, however in our eyes the only tag that needs attaching is great singer songwriter. She also comes with the firm recommendation of one of our greatest exports to the US and firm #TEAMw21 favourite Danni Nicholls, who was equally fulsome in her praise

A short drum intro, a strummed acoustic guitar and some keyboard sounds are all the is required to make the perfect backing

"And I take my Exit Survey, before life hangs up the phone

I hope to answer honestly as I lose my earthly bones

On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied were you?

Did you do every important thing that you set out to do?

Where were you born?, Where did you die? What came in between?

I'm checking off boxes, counting off bosses, chasing impossible dreams

See the sights, and learn your lessons, find the answers to the jackpot questions

If you want to know what it all means - Press 3"

It's a genius concept taking something that everyone can associate with, then taking a songwriting leap to apply to your own life, while also dropping in some laugh out loud lines. It is sung in a style that keeps you hanging on every line and the humour does help to hide the underlying message to make the most of your allocated time.

"So I thought about my thoughts,and started down the list

The things I sometimes often and almost never did

And in 50 words or less, tell us what you would change

And your experience here, on this mortal plain"

Each visit to the chorus reveals a sumptuous new set of lyrics

"Who was your first love?, Who was your last? What came in between?

Beauty and promise, swings and losses, aren't always what what they seem

Did you find with few exceptions, you made lemonade out of all your lemons

If you want to know what it all means...."

Rather than leading us into the obvious "Press 3" to see out the chorus, Abigayle has other ideas an takes us to the bridge to run through the full menu

"Press 1 if you would recommend this experience to a friend

Press 2 if you want to know how the world will end

Press 4 if you'd like to hear this menu again"

It all leads back to the chorus, the backing has now been slightly beefed up yet remains in keeping with the overall feel. It is just over three minutes of pure perfection fading with the band gently coming to a conclusion - Abigayle Oakley remember where you heard her name first.

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