Hypnotic and brooding, ‘Dead Sea’ marks Phoebe June’s sophomore single. Following up on her debut effort, ‘Distant Memory, the Berlin-based songstress doubles down on her hazy, dreamy artistry, an aural brand that’s packed with an overwhelming evocative aura and tons of escapism. In fact, ‘Dead Sea’ does remind us of a distant memory, so to speak. Introduced by tender and spacious guitar strumming, June’s vocals slowly emerge wrapped in blissful textures and gentle reverb. Such a witty production makes for an immersive and bucolic listening experience, almost otherworldly, if you will.
Inspired by the notable and introspective songwriting of Lizzy McAlpine and Gigi Perez, among others, ‘Dead Sea’ throws it back to an acoustic singer-songwriter ethos, yet it also pushes forward, framing such a minimalist piece into a luscious sonic sheen. It’s a formula that we absolutely love, and to be fair, from a blog called Mesmerized, that’s what you’d expect. ‘Dead Sea’ provides a mesmerising two minutes, the sort of tune that would be best enjoyed during a long train ride, while watching out of the windows pretending to be a movie character.
Yet, under a seemingly melancholic livery, ‘Dead Sea’ hides a much more positive and heartwarming message, celebrating the “quiet strength of a supportive partner”. Equating the floating aid of a dead (calm) sea to the lovely embrace of a romantic partner, Phoebe June showcases her lyrical prowess, here put on a full, triumphant display.
Recommended! Discover ‘Dead Sea’ now: