Memorial - “Circle”
Photo by Garry Jones
It’s been just over a month since we last heard from indie folk duo Jack Watts and Ollie Spalding, aka Memorial, but they have finally returned to us with their poignantly stripped-back new single, “Circle.”
If you are not already a fan of Memorial, please take a moment to prepare yourselves for their raw and enriching sound, deliciously steeping with a robust, analogue flavor. A few clacks from the hi-hat get “Circle” started, promptly joined by the carefree strums of an acoustic guitar. A lo-fi beat soon emerges and within the first ten seconds, you’ll be blissfully delighted for having pressed that play button.
A deep, vintage-instilled bass rounds out the rhythm section, lending an engaging sense of late-’60s production to “Circle,” a sound that we can never seem to resist. The vocals, of course, are a true highlight– not only here, but in every Memorial tune we’ve ever heard. They have an authentic, classic tone to them that seems to be completely void of autotune and its ilk. They simply deliver the truth, as heartbreaking as that can sometimes be to hear.
“Circle” was written upon a series of unfortunate, tragic events endured by a close friend. About this, Memorial adds: “Despite the pain we feel in bereavement, believing in the cyclical nature of energy provides a comfort that words often can’t. This song is centred around that feeling, being in a state of learning from a presence that’s not physically there and being able to keep the memory of someone with you to the point where it almost feels tangible without losing your sense of reality.”
Although the song comes from a profound sense of loss, listeners will find comfort in its warmth, with heavenly vocal harmonies in which we, ourselves, often seek refuge. “Circle” is an acoustically-driven journey through the trenches of human emotion and, upon it entering your ears, do not be surprised if you find some sweet relief from the calamities of existence.