Femke - “Love Somebody Else”

Dutch singer-songwriter Femke arrives on the blog with her new single, “Love Somebody Else,” a heartfelt, folksy pop tune that explores the idea of falling in love with someone who is “incredibly good at being two different people.” And though many of us have been there, one need not be a fan of the subject matter in order to vibe with this song.

Femke begins her delightful vocal as soon as you press play. Her voice is slightly reminiscent of Holly Humberstone; however, she definitely holds her own with finesse and ability. The lyrics soar above a lo-fi acoustic guitar, though the production expands into a full-flavored soundscape upon the arrival of the first chorus, complete with some deep bass and some subdued, ethereal padding.

Soft percussion appears at the top of the second verse, and it is quite apparent that Femke knows how to write a song that will keep her listener engaged. The addition of more elements over a track’s duration is often the determining factor in whether or not we feature a song on the blog in the first place. If you’re an artist in search of a template, look no further than “Love Somebody Else,” as it contains every exquisite ingredient that we look for in a song.

And speaking of the right ingredients, wait until your ears take in the soft sprinklings of layered vocals. They first appear at the tail end of the second verse, but carry over into the following chorus, expanding the song into every available inch of the sonic landscape. After that, the gifts of ear candy just keep on coming, including an emerging string arrangement, the elusive bridge, complete with a pulsating kick drum for a grand dynamic shift, and background vocals that perfectly seal the deal.

“Love Somebody Else” is bound to be a hit with those who’ve ever fallen in love with the wrong person, but it’s also a fantastic example of craft, which forces us to hope that there’s more Femke tunes on the way.

-HD