Release of the Week 24/1: The Naked and Famous “Bury Us”
Ahead of their fourth studio album, Recovery, indie electronic group The Naked and Famous have released a catchy new synth-pop hit, marking their triumphant return in 2020. The New Zealand band, founded by Auckland locals Alisa Xayalith (vocals, keyboards), and Thom Powers (vocals, guitars), have seen band members come and go through the years. However, the band have rounded off over a decade in the music industry by returning to their roots as a duo. This back to basics approach has tapped into the heart of what made their music so special. For fans of classics like “Young Blood”, their latest release hits a nostalgic note while moving ahead with a bright, optimistic sound.
“Bury Us” is a fun, upbeat dance track that presents the best aspects of The Naked and Famous. From the energetic sound, impassioned performances and catchy lyrics, “Bury Us” spells excitement for Recovery, which is slated for release this May. The track’s biggest strength is the strong electro-pop tone established from the very first beat. Distant vocals, booming synths and wide production create an airy melodic space as the verse’ reverb heavy texture draws the listener in before exploding in the chorus with a heavy snare and tight kick that drives the dance beat forward. While it isn’t a shock that The Naked and Famous would’ve perfected their electro-pop sound, it is surprising to hear how far vocalist Alisa has come. Her performance is soft and delicate in the verses, but powerful and impassioned in the chorus. As a result, the energy of the vocals rise and fall exactly where they need to in order to match the instrumentation. The last notable feature is the lyrics. Relying on the generic subjects and vague statements rather than deep metaphors and verbose poeticism, the lyrics are infectiously simple. In other songs, this would make them boring, but with the joyous tone provided by the music, it is difficult not to either sing along during the song itself, or sing along later after it has embedded itself deep within the listener’s head.
Backyard Opera got the opportunity to speak with The Naked and Famous about the release. Here’s what they had to say:
If you could describe the track in three words, what would they be?
“Dense, tense and expense(ive).”
What is the track about?
“Falling in love is not always straight forward. Sometimes it's literally like falling; unexpected, and out of one's control. For those who've recently fallen out of love, or who are grieving, diving back in can be frightening. Bury Us is about overcoming that fear, and taking a leap of faith.”
What are some of the musical influences on "Bury Us"?
“Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy and videos that come up when searching "smash mouth all-star but..." on YouTube.”
How does "Bury Us" represent some of the new things fans can expect on the upcoming album?
“We feel it's a healthy blend of classic TNAF lyrical poetry, and newer more modern sonic elements.”
What's the ideal situation to listen to "Bury Us"?
“When you are in need of elevation.”
For an in-depth look at the lyrics, check out the visceral fruit-massacre music video below and be sure to check out the track here: https://TheNakedAndFamous.lnk.to/BuryUs
