Melody & Muse

April 30th 2025

In The Sound Of Breathing SAGES, Ólafur Arnalds, Loree... PREVIEW   ​

This song transformed something within me, opened a part of me up that had been closed for a long time. I experienced the very epitome of spring a few nights ago listening to this and even now it continues as I sit in the garden writing this finally feeling blessed by a little sunlight here in Scotland after a long winter. My experience the other evening was of sheer surprise and wonder when I discovered a little stream that ran through a garden in a forest walk nearby. It was so pretty, it reminded me of Japan (or what I have seen of it online having never visited) The garden was so delicately designed around the stream running through it with newly blossoming flowers, willow tree branches swaying in the wind, the evening sun flickering through them, illuminating little wooden bridges, painted light red over mini waterfalls. Sometimes life swells into a moment of flow and beauty, where everything feels like it belongs if only for a second and this was one of them. It took me a while to accept how beautiful it was because life hasn't been without its challenges especially over the winter. I didn't even realise that part of me had closed off so significantly. It felt like the beauty of that moment was tearing me through the doors of spring from the grip of winter that I had reluctantly become accustomed to. It almost felt like a mirage or an oasis that it wasn't safe to believe in. How had I become fearful of something wonderful? Fear can grip so much of our day to day life but I refused to let it claim this. I leant into the song, let the beauty in and an ice born tear rose to the surface. This song will have even more significance later on in the newsletter too so the story doesn't end here.

Caramel Sleep Token PREVIEW   ​

Sleep Token are doing something truly remarkable right now — perhaps even unprecedented. With their new album dropping on May 9th, I’m certain at least one track will feature in next month’s newsletter (though I promise this won’t turn into a full-time Sleep Token fan club!).

They've struck a deep chord with me — through their mystery, rich lore, and the emotional weight of their music. Somehow, they’ve blended death metal, pop, and even reggaeton into one track and climbed into the top 10 in both the UK and US charts, outperforming major pop artists — all while creating music that is anything but surface-level.

This particular song dives into the mind of Vessel, the masked frontman, and the rest of the anonymous band. Their choice to stay hidden was meant to prioritize the art, but it has sparked invasive curiosity, doxxing attempts, and blurred boundaries through parasocial relationships. Even the sweetest dreams carry a bitter edge, and fame brings bizarre, often isolating challenges that would have been impossible to predict and perhaps even harder to navigate.

Vessel breaks the usual Sleep Token form with this song and we get a glimpse of the real human behind it all. His lyricism never fails to amaze me — weaving complex emotions into powerful, memorable and catchy songs. Layer that with deathcore blast beats from the unbelievable drummer II and raw, emotive screams, then somehow, a deeply personal pop/reggaeton/metal track breaks into the mainstream charts. Awesome.

I’m genuinely excited for the full album — and I hope you will be too.

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Symbiotic Dysfunction Falcon PREVIEW   ​

I've always loved EDM, DnB and all things electronic music. Every now and again I here a small, underground artist that releases something epic and it fully captivates me. This is a perfect example of that. Me and my younger brother had our first experience DJing last weekend and this song was one of the highlights of the set. I have my brother to thank for discovering and sharing the song with me and also weaving it into the DJ set like a wizard.
I love how Falcon blends beautiful atmospheres and pads together with this raw gripping stutter synth and the drop just rips open with full uninhibited charge. Quite the contrast to the first song on the list in some ways but in many ways they both feel like they represent something unravelling and opening into full glory.

Friederich Nietzsche

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music”

watch the video that I have as my top video in this months newsletter and this quote will make perfect sense. I don't know if it was actually Nietzsche that said this, there is some debate about that but many attribute it to him. Whoever it came from, they understood and honoured the power of music. Don't let the fear of what others may think, or the fear of the unknown hold you back from stepping into a higher version of yourself. This advice is easy to give but much harder to actually hold and put into place. The first step to conquering fear is to recognise it, then acknowledge its value and have the courage to act in the best way you can despite it.

Author - Unknown

“let it exist first then make it good”

This one is a hugely powerful and practical insight. Often the best and most honest ideas can only emerge when we give ourselves the freedom to create without immediately judging or perfecting. If we wear a hypercritical hat too early, we risk smothering the fragile beginnings of something beautiful. By simply allowing an idea to exist — messy, imperfect, and raw — we create space for authenticity. Ironically, when we lift the pressure of needing it to be "good" from the start, we often find that what emerges might just be awesome precisely because it was given the freedom to breathe and become itself, created from a place of freedom not fear. A flower must start as a small, unremarkable bulb under the earth and be given light and water, trusting that in time it will flourish.

Brad Arthur :)

"Every success is a tapestry woven from the threads of failure and defeat."

I first heard the quote, "If a victory is told in detail, one can no longer distinguish it from a defeat," by Jean-Paul Sartre, and understood it as a meditation on the brutal cost of war — how every triumph, when seen closely, is soaked in loss, and the glory of victory fades into tragedy.

Yet my first instinct read it differently. I saw in it a quiet encouragement: that every success is stitched from countless failures and defeats. In the pursuit of greatness — whether by an individual or a team — failure is not a blemish, but a thread woven into the final tapestry. In this light, defeat does not diminish victory; it deepens it, giving it weight, meaning, and soul.

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​SAGES - by Ólafur Arnalds & Loreen

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The story continues. 'In The Sound Of Breathing' (song number one of my top songs this month) is actually the first of three songs that make up the 'SAGES' EP by Ólafur Arnalds & Loreen. It is beautifully portrayed with a visual work that really gets under the surface of what it means to be a human. I won't spoil it, just watch the video and see how it makes you feel. Whatever you feel, allow it. It might be resistance, judgement, curiosity or maybe whatever emotion lies beyond those when you let yourself really feel. It made me feel many things, the primary emotions being reverence and elation. They managed to create something that made it into my top song, top quote and top video for this month so a deserved 10/10 in my book.

Emilio Piano ft. Lucie - Maison

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Just wow. Sometimes a voice comes forward that feels transcendent and all encompassing right from the start. Emilio has made some magic videos with all types of singers, both world famous and to much less known, and they are very worth checking out.

Loreen - Tattoo (Acoustic)

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More Loreen because why not? What an experience. I love the original of this song but this version takes it to a new world of wonder. You really get to hear the expression and tone in Loreen's voice alongside the raw, captivating expression of the synths that dancing along with it. Loreen will likely have no idea just how many people's hearts she has opened up with her art. I'm grateful for her putting her music into the world and lifting us all up with it.

If you had to write a letter to your younger self, preparing them for this year, what would you say?
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This is such a beautiful video, masterfully crafted by Nneka, with a powerful message woven throughout. Every shot feels so satisfying and perfectly complements the insight that there’s no hack or shortcut. Growth demands a daily choice between comfortable diminishment and uncomfortable enlargement. It's fascinating how real change so often lies in the very challenge we resist. Nneka speaks of the pressure to conform and live a life of obedience, yet recognizes that path will never truly serve her. There’s always a quieter voice within, calling us toward what will truly light us up. Whether that's trying something new, walking a new path, or even resting when rest feels like a guilty act. The phrase "if nothing changes, nothing changes" feels especially poignant here. I hope this video encourages you to invite meaningful change into your life, however small it may start. Perhaps even begin with a short conversation with your one-month-ago self—you might be surprised by what surfaces.

If I could speak to myself from a month ago, I would tell myself: don't overthink what you don't understand, don't grip life so tightly, and allow yourself to be human. The hardest part of being human is, simply, being human. I find it easy to empathize with others but rarely extend that same grace toward myself—to accept mistakes, flaws, and unanswered questions. Through this newsletter, Melody & Muse, I hope to share more of what I wrestle with—the ways music, video, and life shape and influence me. Writing even this is a challenging exercise: it forces honesty, not just polished thought. Many of the ideas that come to me are messy, irrational, even silly, and I'm learning to observe them without harsh judgment—to choose carefully what to hold and what to let go. I don't always get it right, but I'm working on making space for that too which feels good.

A Trip To Abbey Road

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Early in the month I was lucky to take trip to Abbey Road in London to help out filming a music project led by Talent Is Timeless. We were part of a wonderful team of creatives capturing the sound and the story of this years songwriting contest. Jamie Manning's song "Roadsigns" is a poignant narrative exploring themes of personal struggle, redemption, and the transformative power of love.The song tells the story of a father who, upon discovering his child has special needs, feels overwhelmed and chooses to leave, embarking on a journey filled with fear, doubt, and heartbreak. As he drives, he reflects on his emotions and the weight of his decision. Ultimately, he finds the strength to return home, symbolizing a path to healing and acceptance.

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It was an amazing experience being in such a world renowned studio that has hosted incredible artists over the years. If you ever get the chance to visit I highly recommend it. Sharing a creative weekend with so many kind, skillful and creative people was heartwarming to say the least. The project is still in full development so here is only a small glimpse into what went on. I'm excited to share more with you as it comes together. ​