September – Give Me A Smile

“Just so damn chirpy.”

Tim: We’ve wondered occasionally if we’re running out of music, and decided probably not; we are, on the other hand, definitely running out of artist names, as this is entirely not the September we know.

Tom: That does baffle me: sure, it’s also a month of the year, it’s not the least obvious name you could pick… but would you not Google it?

Tim: Apparently not. They’re a duo from Iceland, this is their second single, and I can’t find a proper video online, but here’s a radio interview with it, starts at 3:57.

Tim: Quick disclaimer: I can find absolutely nothing online about this except for that interview, which is dated over two years ago; on the other hand, Apple Music says it was released a few weeks ago so we’ll have it and assume it got a re-release or something. JOURNALISM.

Tom: And I listened to this via streaming, so heard it in significantly better quality than that radio interview — although not massively better, because it turns out the track’s not mixed spectacularly well. The vocals seem to be hidden behind the instruments; it’s less Wall of Sound and more Incoherent Pile of Bricks of Sound.

Tim: That’s slightly true. But there’s one main reason I’m keen to feature it: it’s lovely.

Tom: You’re not wrong there. A week or two ago, I described something as “a bit Lighthouse Family”. And sure, that’s a backhanded compliment, but this would fit in neatly on the Radio 2 playlist. Actually, I guess that’s a backhanded compliment too.

Tim: My only issue is that at four minutes long it definitely goes on a bit – that backing chorus coming in should really be an indicator of a final chorus, or at most a penultimate one – but the rest of it is lovely. Just so damn chirpy, and while that might not work for everyone, it sure as hell works for me. Just, maybe cut down on the instrumental bits, yeah? Good.