Review by Victoria Nugent
Brisbane indie pop darling Tara Simmons‘ new single wasn’t what I was expecting. To recap for those unfamiliar with the talented muso, Simmons has blazed her way across the local music scene with sweet folk vocals with just a hint of spice.
Simmons first gained recognition in 2005 for single Everybody Loves You, which gained airplay on Triple J and went on to be a finalist at the Q Song Awards the following year. 2006 also saw Simmons release her debut EP, Pendulum. Since then Simmons has released another two EPs, an album and a compilation CD entitled EPilation featuring the tracks from her first two EPs.
Her most recent EP All You Can saw Simmons gather more steam, with two radio singles All You Can and I Cannot Be Saved. I Cannot Be Saved found its way into the musical accompaniments to various television shows, namely SLiDE and Winners and Losers.
Simmon’s new single Be Gone is edgier than her previous offerings, showing off a new daring attitude and a more synthetic. Her perpetually immaculate vocals are as always on display, but this time framed by producer Yanto Browning’s fearless jungle beat.
The track kicks in straight away with its distinctive synthetic riffs and driving energy building quickly. Simmons belts out strong vocals imploring an ex-lover to “please be gone” in this break up song with bite.
The music video for Be Gone is all tribal colours, war paint and desert backgrounds, tying in well with the track’s raw, primal energy.
The single’s “B side” song, simply entitled Honey, sounds a lot closer to the classic Tara Simmons sound. Underpinning the song is a strong piano melody with haunting synth sounds adding to the track’s melancholy atmosphere. Simmons shows off wistful lyrics with crisp, clear vocals, imbuing each high note with a kind of mournful sweetness.
All in all, Simmon’s latest single is another logical and successful progression in the career of this young singer on the rise. With offerings like this, I can’t imagine that it will be too long before Simmons becomes better known on the Australian music scene.
Review by Victoria Nugent
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