Neon Fields – Shelter (2022)
Neon Fields had us delving into unrequited love and obsession in their single ‘Meant To Be’. They are now drawing us into a very specific theme that offers insight into something much greater with ‘Shelter’. Through the single, the band tells the story of a family forced into an air-raid shelter, told from the perspective of the father trying to hold everything together for his family.
While an extremely specific story, the single touches on the greater theme of having to put on a brave face while hiding what you are really feeling. Through the single, the band brings a feeling of being trapped in darkness, while trying to convince ourselves and others that everything is going to be okay. While the single came to life in 2021, it has taken on a new poignancy given the situation in Ukraine, and this has led the band to donate all profits from the single to Disaster Emergency Committee.
‘Shelter’ has a very interesting opening that grabs your attention with its unique movement. This unique movement turns into a light electronic movement that has an amazing poignancy to it. Through the music, you are filled with a sense of needing to be quiet while tension creeps into your shoulders. It is an undeniably emotive melody that swirls emotions in your stomach. The electronic movement of the melody fills the high levels of the track, while the lower levels swirl with fog and darkness. This layering of sound offers an emotional insight into the feelings of the main character and the fight against darkness, and putting on a brave face.
While the melody lays the foundations for the emotions of the track, Ed Barrett’s vocals pull you into the story of the lyrics. There is a clear storytelling edge to the lyrics that paints the picture of heading down into a bunker. This turns into the thoughts that flow through the main character’s mind as he tries to be strong for those around him. While he tries to be strong, there is a plea for someone to help, making the emotions of the single more powerful. It is a stunning take on putting on a brave face and set to a theme that makes it easier to connect with.
Neon Fields fills the poignant ‘Shelter’ with the churning emotions of putting on a brave face and trying to be strong for others when you are unsure yourself. The melody is powerful as it brings the foundations of the emotions of the single. The vocals draw you into the story of the lyrics, while churning the emotions of the main character in your stomach.
Find out more about Neon Fields on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
