One of the few performers on the Big Entrance Stage at this years C2C, who's tunes managed to make the sun come out during her sparkling set - Simeon Hammond Dallas is back with a storming new single "Do I Die?". With a couple of notable support slots as well this week with The Wandering Hearts - those dates and this single should see her profile raise considerably.
There's a hint of classic Fleetwood Mac as the song opens to a prominent guitar riff, and a sumptuous rhythm section that will have you hooked within the opening ten seconds, before Simeon has had chance to say a word. When she does arrive, she throws us straight into the mix with a dramatic opening that has the listener mirroring Simeon's initially confused state, her vocals lowering perfectly capturing the downbeat end to the second line.
"Woke up in the night, with the lights and the tv on
Think we had a fight, don't know why, but I know you're gone"
The next line sees Simeon deliciously extend the word love over multiple syllables ,her voice rising and falling, not in a showy way, just proper talented singing. It's a technique she will perform seemingly effortlessly throughout the song.
"Begging like a child, oh I'd do anything to be loved
Somebody believe in me - I got nothing else to fall back on"
The chorus is divine, the crashing cymbals, providing the perfect break between each couplet as Simeon vents her frustrations.
"Maybe I'm just crazy - I'm not the only one
Maybe I can't have this - cos I want it too much
Maybe I'm deluded, am I fooling anyone?
Tell me what the truth is -
Do I die before I'm done"
This may be a perfect pops song however it doesn't stop Simeon from slipping in some quite heavy hard hitting personal lyrics within this most elegant of tunes.
"Read the stars, read the cards, read the palm of my hand
I've been scarred, I've been starved I've been broken and scammed
Gave you all I could, was it good ? I don't understand
Somebody believe in me, not if this was ever the plan
In a final burst of lyrical class not normally attached to a pop song, Simeon's delivery reaches a new high - steadily building in intensity and volume over each line until she almost bursts with frustration
"I have to know what is false cos its killing me
Is it a test? I'm obsessed what you offered me
Hungry for validation don't ever stop feeding me
Why do I feel like we're at war and I'm the enemy"
Undoubtedly destined to be on peoples Best Single of the Year lists, if you have yet to fall under Simeon's spell this is an excellent place to start.
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