Introduced by a simple yet grounded drum beat, ‘This Place’ is a rather simple, yet meaningful and vibrant offering. Built on heartwarming and earthy indie-rock elements, the track boasts vivid, fuzzy tones and a certain nostalgic flair, something that greatly enriches the impact of Luke Porter’s rowdy, smokey vocals. Also part Britpop, ‘This Place’ places heightened attention on its lyrical content, with the Whitley Bay-based troubadour narrating a personal tale of growth and reckoning.
The plot is rather linear and accessible, yet incredibly poignant, as Porter describes the experience of moving back to his hometown from a big city. That’s a sentiment many of us might relate to. Youth always comes with certain expectations, especially when it comes to exploring the many avenues of our kaleidoscopic society. After a while, when wisdom sets in, one comes to realise the value of a simpler way of living. Joy and comfort are around the corner if one is willing to face the harsh truths of life.
In Luke’s case, moving back to the North East also came with a great deal of personal development, finally discovering the powerful role of one’s roots. We bet it wasn’t easy at first, but slowly he was able to lean into a new reality. As he explains: “I spent most of my life with a need to leave the North East, it was not until I left and moved to the City that I realised what I had lost. It was not until moving back to Whitley Bay that I re-found myself and found a new appreciation for my hometown”.
Recommended! Discover ‘This Place’ on Spotify:
