Joel Sammut (ft. Dakota Blue) – What Happened To The Weekend (2023)
From Illustrate Magazine to Earmilk, Clout, Pop Muzik, Muzique Magazine and The Hype Magazine (to name but a few), singer-songwriter Joel Sammut is making waves on an international scale with his genre-defying music. Inspired by the likes of David Bowie, Tame Impala and Cocorosie, Sammut brings an experimental flair to our ears offering nostalgic charm with fresh ferocity. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘What Happened To The Weekend’.
Constantly looking for unique approaches to his blend of pop, rock and electronic elements, the Australian musician collaborates with artists bringing something new to the board. Following his well-received single ‘Trouble’, Joel Sammut collaborated with producer and singer-songwriter Dakota Blue on ‘What Happened To The Weekend’. Many aspects of ‘What Happened To The Weekend’ are intriguing but the fact that it was produced completely remotely is exciting. Drawing together their influences and experiences as musicians, Sammut and Blue create a Joy Division meets David Bowie sonic experiment.
Born of the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘What Happened To The Weekend’ touches on that strange sensation of being tossed back to and lost in post-pandemic reality. Dakota Blue explains that “it is about being taken aback by how quickly time has passed whilst trying to make sense of it…it all sort of feels like a strange dream you’re trying to wake from.”
Unlike ‘Trouble’, a stronger rock sentimentality oozes from the new song; however, while rock-inspired sounds are present, a sprinkling of percussion and synths contribute to a distorted melodic chaos. In my opinion, it is this obscurity and distortion that enhances the anxiety, confusion and fearfulness of living in an unfamiliar post-pandemic world. Moreover, the slipping and sliding quality of the arrangement is fully representative of an eclectic remote production – or that’s at least my thought on the matter.
Ethereal and haunting with a discomforting vibe to the kaleidoscopic tune, ‘What Happened To The Weekend’ is nothing short of fantastic. I cannot wait for more from this dynamic pair.
For more from Joel Sammut, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
