Zoe Konez - “This Utopia”
Photo courtesy of Zoe Konez
UK-based singer-songwriter Zoe Konez has returned to us with the delightfully stripped-back and heartfelt sounds of “This Utopia,” a gentle serving of acoustically-driven indie folk.
“This Utopia” begins with layers of otherworldly vocals that swell in the distance, creating an ethereal texture that becomes a recurring motif over the duration of the track. Amidst this soothing ambience, an acoustic guitar emerges, imbuing the track with the sense of humanness that made us such fans of Konez in the first place.
Upon the arrival of Konez’ vocal performance, we are suddenly reminded of the way her intimate and melodic nature first captured our attention, back when we first started blogging about music. Over the verse, it is as though Konez is offering her listener a private performance, with no evidence of any modern, digital manipulation that would negate its authenticity.
Over the refrain, the soft sound of a subdued rhythm section arrives to provide momentum, bringing a profound sense of width and depth to the soundscape. At this point, “This Utopia” takes a more uplifting turn, offering a sense of hope to the listener, and it becomes apparent that the song would work quite well among the playlists designed to instill a sense of positivity in all who hear.
About the song, Konez adds: “This Utopia is a pause from anxiety and stress, of inner turmoil and processing of feelings. It’s a moment of mellow optimism, letting a sunny afternoon daydream drift into a happy place built in my imagination, where life feels easy and everyone is a friend.”