Say Anise - “The Sea”
Just over a month ago, we were delighted to feature “Hurry Honeypie,” courtesy of London-based singer-songwriter Emily Barnett, aka Say Anise. And she turned out to be such a fantastic human being that we found ourselves eagerly awaiting her next release. Well, that wait is finally over because today she’s landed in our stack of submissions with “The Sea,” a song that touches on the European refugee crisis.
At its very heart, “The Sea” is a folk song, but its cinematic elements are extremely varied, so you need not be a fan of folk music in order to enjoy what’s happening here. The song fades in with some well placed strings, courtesy of Melisande Yavuz, joined shortly by a rhythm that should propel your foot into a gentle tapping motion. The entire production glides along with Barnett’s guitar work, setting the stage for the vocals to begin.
If you have not yet heard the lovely voice of Say Anise, you are in for quite the delight– plus, we suggest perusing her back catalogue once you’ve finished absorbing this track, as well as pre-saving her upcoming EP. Before our words start to sound like an advertisement, and as fantastic as the music may be, the vocals in “The Sea” are definitely why we would pay to hear this woman perform. They feel effortless as they delicately deliver the lyrics, soon joined on the refrain in a duet performed by Adrien Latgé.
The production is so ethereal that it is not at all difficult to imagine the sea, even without knowing the title of the song. This track is definitely another reason to remain a fan of Say Anise, or a reason for newcomers to become fans themselves.
About the track, Say Anise adds: “The Sea is a song about the European refugee crisis, written from two different points of view. The verses are written from the perspective of a mother and child who have lost their home, and the chorus is from the point of view of the western observer, portraying their conflicting feelings of guilt, powerlessness and apathy. Sadly, although it was written back in late 2016/early 2017, the message is just as relevant today.”
-TM