Defiant electro
With the Synth City London 2017 event only finishing some weeks back, it’s a wonder that Johnny Normal can divide time up between promoting electronic music events, presenting a radio show and producing music himself.
But now comes a new project under the banner of The Rude Awakening, which sees Johnny bringing onboard the talents of Brooke Calder (Lolly Pop, A*O*A, POP INC) for ‘Let Nothing Take Your Pride’. Released as a 6 track EP, with remixes by various people from the electronic music scene, it offers a reflection of our times in its themes .
Lyrically, there’s a defiant tone to the track which deals with anyone who’s come under fire from life: “Struggling with your conscience I try to make you see/but all around your friends surround taking a piece of me”. Revolving around themes of resilience and fighting your corner, the song could be said to be a rallying call for those that have been beaten down. In many ways, this song also has a personal sentiment for Johnny, who spent much of 2014 hospitalised in a coma.
The track (which also saw its live premiere at September’s Synth City event) draws from the classic synth-pop template with an anthemic pop approach peppered with synthetic brass stabs. With some polished backing vocals by long-time friend and collaborator Brooke Calder, ‘Let Nothing Take Your Pride’ presents an electropop tune with some whack.
The EP presents 6 versions of the song, with the first by the Isle Of Wight-based Mr Strange. The Blott deliver a more stripped-down take on the song while French electro producers XMS offer a more punchy approach, yet keeping the vocal track loud and proud.
The Nature Of Wires remix opts for a dark electro take on the track. Finally, The Illustrial mix things up for a fractured electronic collage.
‘Let Nothing Take Your Pride’ is out now via https://johnnynormal.bandcamp.com/album/let-nothing-take-your-pride-e-p and available from all digital download sites.
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