Not often do you hear of a song that is both rich in meaning and musicality. The story behind this band is certainly an interesting one, and one to get behind. Soft Velvet Lounge are THE brand new band from the US that met over the internet in 2020, like most relationships nowadays. A happy circumstance more than anything, they managed to create their debut album ‘Life of the Party’ throughout lockdown, and today it enters the world.
It is clear that they share a gift musically. Their melodies and harmonies in focus track Blood are mature and encapsulating. They lie on a bed of bass-full-with-chorus, Beach House-esque drums and synths not far off M83. What we get in the end, is something I would want to see in the end credits of the next Blade Runner.
The lyrics dive deeper into the duo; Jazz and Zedadiah, who explain that the song was never supposed to come about in the first place, if not for the wrong file being opened! Jazz, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, wrote the lyrics and split singing duties with Zedadiah, to share the weight of the song. She tells a story of struggle in not finding ones identity, but in people failing to understand it. In doing so, she is showing support for other members of the community who also face difficulties with being accepted by those around them. “Family doesn’t need to be blood”, Jazz quotes on the meaning of the track.
As a whole, the album is one that I can see climbing up the charts, a remark goes further when you realise that the visuals are the brainchild of Zedadiah. This really is a classic sounding album that deserves to be heard. Play it loud.
