A gentle blend of melancholic lyrics and evocative, ambient synth textures, Francesca Brierley aka heka has shared her latest single ‘i’m the thorn’. Taken from her upcoming EP, swan songs, which is set for release on 22nd September via Practise Music, the track is inspired by the Italian-born, London-based multi-disciplinary artist’s ruminations on a broken romance.
“’i’m the thorn’ meditates over the spoils of an unhealthy relationship,” heka explains. “It’s about love that doesn’t work and ends up hurting both. It’s about feeling liberated by putting an end to it and still sensing a bond with that person through the mutual wounds inflicted. It was conflicting to feel comforted by it and I wanted to express the dichotomy of that feeling.” Through her poetic words and considered instrumentation, heka explores these clashes of emotion, offering her listeners a moment of respite whilst doing so.
The opening line of the new single also references the title of heka’s upcoming EP swan songs – “I wait for your song to calm / I wait for your song / your swan song” – which is a collection of six affecting “butchered folk” tracks. It’s an intimate, warm exploration of the songwriter’s experiences of life, love, loss and nostalgia, all filtered through a classical-contemporary musical lens. heka moves through these states with impressive transience and grace, reflecting the growth and resilience that comes with processing these often complex emotions.
Listen to ‘i’m the thorn’ below.
Pre-save heka’s swang songs EP here
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Photo Credit: Holly De Looze
Kate Crudgington
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