Infatuation. As enchanting as it is dangerously obsessive, we have all at some point unintentionally tampered with this chronic state of mind. With the remains of Valentines Day festivities still lingering in the air and the broken hearts of all hopefuls out there, a dreaded state of reflection on one’s relationship status – mainly inspired by cheap advertisements and superfluous buzz – is awakened in everyone’s conscious. High Violet’s debut track Only Heart is an ode to romanticised infatuation, and perfectly tuned with the flower industry’s favourite holiday.
Love is in the air. Or is it infatuation? Either way, High Violet pull at the heartstrings with enchanting pop hooks and wholesome beats on the soothing Only Heart – and for the lovesick, it just might be your saviour.
The Sydney-based foursome have been jamming since their recent formation in 2015, featuring members from City Riots, Nakatomi, The Goodbye Horses and Blush Response. Having been compared to the likes of The Preatures, Haim, and the romantically disturbed Fleetwood Mac, the act experiments with indie-infused pop with a rock edge. Dan, Ricky, Emily and Emily, (aka. ‘The Emily’s’) parallel in reminiscence of ABBA with their even number and gender distribution making for a charming musical partnership.
Recorded in Sydney with producer Louis Schoorl, Only Heart is a stellar debut track from High Violet, ricocheting to the world a tune that is universally relatable. With a backbeat that is determined as it is infectiously catchy and poppy, the song offers an aura that is hopeful and equally driving. The scattered layering of harmonious vocal hooks transferred between all band members’ results in a wholesome, all encompassing effort and sound – it doesn’t come as a shock that the creative process behind the song came as effortlessly as the final product echoes – “Only Heart was inspired out of a jam we had where we were hammering out this one guitar riff and a verse idea.”
While likened to Fleetwood Mac, alongside The Cure and Interpol, the classic act also holds significant influence to the band: “In the initial stages of jamming it had a Fleetwood Mac vibe, so the song was nicknamed Fleetwood for ages until it evolved and was re-named Only Heart once we got into the studio to record it with Louis.”
What really motivates the appeal behind this tune is its widespread range of shared human experience, “It’s about finding that someone who you’re completely enamoured with, when you drop all your guards and give them your everything” the band reflect. Sometimes it can be messy meddling with said emotions, yet High Violet executes it brilliantly with lyrical phrases that are at times beautifully poetic and blatantly honest. We’re majorly crushing on this first taste of what is expected to be a groundbreaking release of future sounds from High Violet. Give Only Heart a listen and ride that same wave.
