Octavia Freud & The Weird Sisters (ft. Emma Hunter) – He Was Born In A Different Way (2024)
The alter ego of UK-based musician and producer Martin Andrews, Octavia Freud & The Weird Sisters is “sardonic DIY electronica with a personal and political edge…” Originally formed in the mid-2010s, Andrews began the Octavia Freud project with a strong electronica sound from the electronic vocals merged with cut-up beats, bass and guitar riffs”. In 2020, Andrews released his album Moon dancing recorded during Lockdown using natural vocals in an electronic soundscape. His 2022 album Land ahoy increased the personal narrative dealing with profound themes in a playful way; and today, we look at (and listen to) his latest release ‘He Was Born In A Different Way’.
Taken from the upcoming album Mancbeth, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth placing the famous Scottish play in 90s Manchester’s underworld of drug dealing, gangster feuds and dodgy rave clubs. Following the single ‘Double Trouble’, ‘He Was Born In A Different Way’ shifts from the mystical haziness of electronic psychedelia to a hard-hitting fusion of jazz and pop layered across a synth-driven floor of electropop. As with all of the singles off Mancbeth, each track evokes a separate emotion led by the dark characters in Macbeth. Joined by vocalist Emma Hunter, ‘He Was Born In A Different Way’ embraces Macbeth’s terror and Macduff’s vengeance in a rush of music. Andrews explains:
“The song explores the moment when Macbeth, who had previously been told by the weird sisters that no man of a woman born can harm him, is now told his arch enemy Macduff was born by caesarean section so is free to seek his revenge.”
For me, it is not the intricate interplay of synths and beats that drew my attention, but the strength of Hunter’s vocals. Speaking from her experience of giving birth via caesarean section, a haunting passion navigates the sound, like a temptress luring you into her grasp before plunging the knife into your back. A line between sexy sensuality and sinister evil, ‘He Was Born In A Different Way’ plays with your emotions but you really enjoy every second.
In addition to the single, Octavia Freud & The Weird Sisters released an official music video for ‘He Was Born In A Different Way’. The video can be viewed below or on his YouTube channel. Please note that this music video uses lighting effects and image transitions that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about Octavia Freud & The Weird Sisters on their official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more electropop tunes on The Other Side Reviews Electropop playlist:
