Song of the Week: Fiona Apple Reads Tolkien Poetry on “Where the Shadows Lie”
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The post Song of the Week: Fiona Apple Reads Tolkien Poetry on “Where the Shadows Lie” appeared first on Consequence.
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Fiona Apple makes a fantastical return with “Where the Shadows Lie.”
The music of Fiona Apple has a way of making itself feel suspended in time. From the straightforward, piano-heavy compositions of her 1996 debut Tidal to the raucous, ramshackle qualities of 2020’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters, the iconic musician might’ve been a spokesperson of turn-of-the-century doom — but her sound is void of a specific era.
Really, it’s a trait that Apple shares with the Lord of the Rings franchise, which has grown from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel series in the ’50s to a run of blockbuster films and, now, an Amazon Original Series. It’s no wonder she was picked to contribute to the soundtrack for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, on a season-finale anthem called “Where the Shadows Lie.”
With music by composer Bear McCreary, “Where the Shadows Lie” was inspired by a Rings-verse poem by Tolkien himself. Poetry has long been an apparent prerequisite to Apple’s music, and though “Where the Shadows Lie” is void of the intimacy and sentimentality she usually forges, her emphatic vocals instead feel victorious and subtly haunting.
In the track’s final moments, she belts the song’s title, and you can almost envision her voice bouncing off the stone walls of a castle chamber. A chorus swells and swells behind her, affirming Apple’s acute skill of conjuring powerful emotion — whatever emotions those might be.
— Abby Jones
Associate Editor
Honorable Mentions:
Anxious – “Sunsign”
Anxious have never had trouble writing a sticky hook; it was one of Little Green House’s greatest strengths. Their emo-inspired indie rock has a certain quality that allows their tunes to stay with you long after you’re done listening. “Sunsign,” the group’s first single since their debut album, is no different. In fact, it might be the catchiest four minutes the band has come through with yet. A bouncy beat and propulsive structure back ear-worm lead melodies, resulting in a track that has the potential to become an instant fan-favorite. It’s one of the strongest singles they’ve unleashed yet and is sure to convince anyone that wasn’t sold on Little Green House that Anxious is here to stay. — Jonah Krueger
The Backseat Lovers – “Slowing Down”
With the two-chord breakdown of “Kilby Girl,” The Backseat Lovers became one of the fastest rising indie-crossovers in recent memory. Later this month, they’ll look to capitalize on the frenzy with Waiting to Spill, the group’s sophomore LP – and with singles like “Slowing Down,” they just might be able to pull it off.
The patient, dynamic track is a slow burn that comes to a climactic crescendo. Sitting at over five minutes, “Slowing Down” is true to its title. Though not as immediate as the songs that garnered The Backseat Lovers their fanbase, it’s no less rewarding. Give the song the time it needs, and you’ll likely find one of your new favorite songs. — J.K.
Priya Ragu – “Adalam Va!”
With “Adalam Va!”, singer-songwriter Priya Ragu crafts a track that embodies its title, which roughly translates to “Let’s Dance!” The electro-pop banger is an exuberant, high-energy listen, amplified by the array of instruments that the singer-songwriter utilizes. The hard-hitting bass pairs well with the synths, and the production on the track is matched by Ragu’s versatile vocal performance. Whether it be Ragu telling listeners to relax and breathe or paying homage to UK rapper Skepta, her quick, jabbing lyrics exude charisma and confidence. — Joe Eckstein
Carlie Hanson – “608”
The build-up on Carlie Hanson’s “608” is palpable. Starting with a melancholic tone of a somber guitar, where every pluck of the strings is felt, the singer-songwriter immediately conjures a nostalgic atmosphere. Indeed, the song is an homage to Hanson’s hometown of Onalaska, Wisconsin, and speaks to how it’s still a part of her. “Promise to my mom I’m still the same/ Never change my number 608,” she sings over guitar. By the end, synths and a distorted bass line come together in a powerful, uplifting conclusion to one of Hanson’s most introspective efforts yet. — J.E.
Fred again.. – “Kammy (like i do)”
One of the new patron saints of house music, Fred again.., is back with another thumping club anthem, “Kammy (like i do),” a standout from his significant Boiler Room set a few months ago. The song’s rapid pace not only hearkens back to the breakbeat radiance of 2000s house, but it creates a whirlwind of emotions that rise and fall within seconds. When the bridge arrives and the beat dissipates, the reprieve is brief but euphoric, and as his drums come crashing back in for a final refrain, it’s pure dancefloor energy. You can almost feel the sweat building up, and Fred again..’s restlessness propels the track forward in a deeply satisfying way. — Paolo Ragusa
Crush Club – “Will I See You Again?”
Electronic duo Crush Club have returned with “Will I See You Again?”, a yearning dancefloor number that plays to both members’ strengths: Vocalist TC Milan flaunts his sly, delicate melodies with an ample amount of longing and desire, while producer Le Chev works through a highly-percussive house beat that keeps the track’s momentum at a scintillating high. Built from an almost angelic choir sample, “Will I See You Again?” reflects both the passionate high of wanting that second date or hookup and the eerie low of rejection that looms around the corner. With a song like this, how could you not want to see Crush Club again? — P.R.
Mimi Webb – “Ghost of You”
Singer-songwriter Mimi Webb has tapped into the timelessness that can thrive in pop music with her latest, “Ghost of You.” Sometimes, the best way to explore feelings of sadness and loss is through a deceivingly upbeat anthem, and this song is a perfect example. With a visual that sees the artist strutting down a London street and ending up at tasteful, glamorous, cathartic dance party, “Ghost of You” taps into early-2000s energy authentically, and not just because it’s an aesthetic that feels trendy these days. Instead, Webb uses it to achieve a transcendent quality to both the song and music video. — M.S.
Top Songs Playlist:
Song of the Week: Fiona Apple Reads Tolkien Poetry on “Where the Shadows Lie”
Abby Jones and Consequence Staff
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