Niall Summerton - “Train”
Photo provided by Niall Summerton
North Yorkshire-based singer-songwriter Niall Summerton returns to the blog with his exquisitely crafted new single, “Train.”
The song fades in with the sound of guitar feedback before revealing a lo-fi beat that injects the arrangement with the chillest of vibes. Summerton’s hushed vocal immediately emerges, wonderfully double-tracked and coated in a distinct analogue flavor that is warmly reminiscent of Elliott Smith and Duster– the reason we initially found ourselves drawn to his music.
“Train” is primarily comprised of a soft rhythm section beneath gently chugging guitar chords, all of which makes for the perfect backdrop for some deep introspection. But Summerton is not afraid to experiment with dramatic fluctuations in dynamics, stripping away the bulk of the arrangement to reveal some soft piano before lovingly piecing the song back together.
Throughout the track, Summerton wins over his listener with lyrics like “days go by, like a train I missed,” putting words to the emotions tethered to our very existence. He adds: “I wrote ‘Train’ about the relentlessness of everyday life and the feeling of it wearing me down. Days or weeks would be passing me by and I'd feel as though I'd achieved and felt nothing. It's a lament to the weariness of life and the inescapable feeling it brings.”
The song will likely win over fans of soft, folk-infused lo-fi rock, and includes an explosive ending that flirts with the edginess of slowcore, ultimately culminating in a thick wall of distorted guitars. “Train” belongs in the playlists that you reserve for those late-night drives to nowhere and we truly cannot wait for you to hear it.