My Life Story – I’m A God (2023)
A pioneering force in the Britpop revolution, UK-based group My Life Story began sharing playful lyrics woven into bold melodies in 1984. In the early 1990s, frontman Jake Shillington transformed the pop group into an innovative orchestral 11-piece with horns and strings. Passionate and powerful with a hint of chaos in the mix, My Life Story forged ahead with their symphonic identity scoring six UK top 40 singles, several studio albums, collaborations with artists like the Pogues and Morrisey, support for Blur and Pulp, four Glastonbury and Reading Festival performances, and one of the few bands to headline over Oasis.
From 1984 to 2000 (give or take), My Life Story went ahead with their unique sound. By 2001, however, the band ceased touring and recording. Sporadic reunion shows popped up in the ’00s, but it was in 2016 that Shillingford began touring without the orchestral troupe. This inspired a new direction in My Life Story’s sound and in 2019 the group released a fan-funded album World Citizen to international critical acclaim. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘I’m A God’.
Following the singles ‘Numb Numb Numb’ & ‘Tits & Attitude’, ‘I’m A God’ finds the line between vintage post-punk and contemporary synth-pop. Transcending time and space, My Life Story gives audiences the best of both worlds with edgy instrumentation and arrangement. Recorded alongside Nick Evans and Ben Hillier, who produced two Depeche Mode albums, ‘I’m A God’ has the shiver of Depeche Mode lurking in the melody – Hillier’s skills, I assume.
Removing the orchestral trills, My Life Story combines the musical stylings of Nick Evans (guitar), Jack Hosgood (bass), Chris Hardwick (drums), Aimee Smith (keys) and Jake Shillingford (vocals). Just as the hush of the 80s descends on ‘I’m A God’, particularly with the smooth vocals, the pounding drums and powerful guitar kick My Life Story to 2023. Twinkling keys shine in a retro rainbow, but bold brashness belies the flowing melody.
With a playful lilt, the melody of ‘I’m A God’ touches your soul, but the lyricism brings profoundness. Shillingford explains, “I wanted to highlight how the media lazily awards everything and everyone divine status and consider if worshipping false gods is embedded in our DNA. I remember reading that even Prince Phillip was seen as a god by the Yaohnanen people…”
In addition to the single, My Life Story released an official music video for ‘I’m A God’. You can view it below or via his YouTube channel. Please note: this video uses lighting effects and image movement that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
For more from My Life Story, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
