Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Track of the Day: saferinthecity – Batshit Crazy

At only 18 years of age, pop artist Harry Paynter is releasing music of such maturity far surpassing his tender years. In his solo project saferinthecity, Paynter showcases the influence of artists like Greyson Chance and Nina Nesbitt – not only in style but in the poignant lyricism. An identical twin, this LGBTQ+ musician/producer explores the innocence, vulnerability and fragility of youngsters in contemporary society. While he does not have a large repertoire, saferinthecity has featured on Find A Song, BBC Introducing, iHeart Radio, Amazing Radio and Fruit Sonic. One of the latest additions to his discography is ‘Batshit Crazy’.



Following the single ‘Movie Scene’, featuring the vocals of Gracie Grinter, Paynter releases his vibrant track ‘Batshit Crazy’. Described as “a song penned as a letter to himself drawing upon self acceptance”, ‘Batshit Crazy’ tips you into a perfumed bubble of sound with its upbeat, but hazy ambience. Walking on the cusp of dream-pop and commercial pop, Paynter’s single is jovial and “poppy” without being too cheesy.

Soothing and languid, Paynter’s dulcet tones meld effortlessly with the cleverly arranged melody. With crescendos and dimenuendos perfectly placed, the single carries you along an evocative journey in a kaleidoscopic soundscape. Yes, these are all flowery descriptions of ‘Batshit Crazy’, but lovely stuff deserves some pretty wording, doesn’t it? I mean, how could I adequately describe the whimsical innnocence of the track without mentioning the well-layered sound. As I said, Paynter’s dulcet vocals harmonically blend with the melody; however, it is the hushed tone to a bold voice that fills the track with warmth.

In addition to his single, saferinthecity released an official video for ‘Batshit Crazy’. The video content is a scene of people dancing with Paynter in the lead, lying in a bath of balloons or singing to the camera – not necessarily the most elaborate of scenes but it captures the essence of the song. The video is bright, intriguing, endearing and a representation of youthfulness at its most vulnerable.

Due to most music videos nowadays contain lighting effects that can cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy, I was pleasantly surprised to see this was not the case. Unfortunately, certain rapid image transitions and “unsteady” filming effects can result in at least a headache for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Watch at your own discretion.


THIS VIDEO DOES CONTAIN RAPID IMAGE TRANSITIONS AND FILMING EFFECTS THAT CAN CAUSE SEIZURES IN PEOPLE WITH PHOTOSENSITIVITY

For more from saferinthecity check out his Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.