Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers – Playground (2023)
From Clout to Music For All, York Calling, Existential Magazine and Ramzine, UK-based Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers are reaching audiences on a cross-continental scale. Known for their energetic, enthusiastic and all-around awesome performances, the lads are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Formed in 2022 with only two singles to their name, Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers don’t have much of a presence when it comes to quantity, but the quality is out of this world. In other words, once you hear ‘em you won’t forget ‘em.
Following their debut single ‘Run & Hide’, Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers adopts an indie-rock sound with tinges of alternative rock slithering through the sonic tapestry. Pounding drums combine with powerful drums creating a heavy foundation which has vocals dancing along the surface. The thing is, while the arrangement has a hard-hitting quality, ‘Playground’ has a softer harmonic flow to the track in the style of Radiohead. With this charming ambience, ‘Playground’ rips into your soul and rocks about, just like ‘Run & Hide’ did with its upbeat punk…only softer.
While the melody can have you drifting away on a sonic cloud, Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers bring an intimate profoundness to the sophomore single. In my opinion, no one ever taught us about being an adult and having to cope with reality – Dempsey and his crew capture the essence of this sentiment perfectly in ‘Playground’.
“’Playground’ is a track that isn’t simply listened to but experienced…feeling as if you’re being swallowed up by the rat race of monotonous daily life, trying to keep your head above water and your creative, inquiring mind alive…being frightened of what the future holds and of seeing the youthful/hedonistic life you once knew slipping slowly away.” – Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers on ‘Playground’
The idea of living as an independent adult in a buzzing city is nice but getting to the nitty-gritty of the situation leaves you exhausted and lost. Filled with a melancholy angst and vulnerability, Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers represent millions of adults in today’s society with their track ‘Playground’.
For more from Nat Dempsey & The Near Strangers, check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
