Bess Atwell - “Something Now”
Photo by Davey
From Brighton, singer-songwriter Bess Atwell is back on the blog with “Something Now,” the latest single from her forthcoming LP, Light Sleeper.
The song opens with an upbeat tick, supporting a layer of guitar and a rising, atmospheric synth. Embedded within the sound is looping vocal hook that will instantly have you humming along, as well as returning to “Something Now” for multiple listing sessions.
The arrival of the verse brings Atwell’s raw and breathy vocal performance, reminding us of why we became fans of hers in the first place. From the very first track that she sent to us, we’ve found her voice quite refreshing, as well as a reminder that there are still artists who abstain from modern production tactics in order to reach a sublime sound.
The refrain brings a significant sense of width to the sonic landscape, including a more fleshed-out rhythm and Atwell’s glorious upper register and falsetto. But a major selling point with “Something Now” is the remarkable harmony layer that emerges with the second verse, which remains with us until the song’s conclusion.
About the new single, Atwell adds: “This track is a celebration of feeling, written in a moment of empowerment when I was tapering off antidepressants. I’m not anti-medication, but I realised I’d become frightened of my feelings and it signaled a change in me that I was prepared to feel a broader spectrum of emotion.”
Bess Atwell is fast becoming one of our favorite finds of the year and we hope that once you’ve caught an earful of her sound that you will feel the same. Please join us as we (im)patiently await the arrival of the full album, due out on May 24th.