Red Telephone – Sentimental Dreaming (2024)
Teetering on the edge of dreamlike melancholy and rhythmic catharsis, Red Telephone’s latest single ‘Sentimental Dreaming’ is a spellbinding offering from their upcoming sophomore LP Delay The New Day. Driven by a hypnotic bassline and shrouded in layers of ethereal synthscapes, the track blends the quintet’s signature psych-rock and darkwave sounds with an intriguing Robyn-esque pop sensibility.
Yet, beneath the track’s shimmering synth work and infectious rhythms, there are also subtle nods to the brooding art-rock of Suede and the angular, cerebral stylings of Talking Heads. However, Red Telephone ultimately forge an identity that is uniquely their own, as the song builds towards a climactic outro that encapsulates the band’s dynamic range and compositional daring.
Lyrically, the song grapples with the chasm between the idealized vision of the creative life and the often harsh realities of pursuing one’s passions, an overriding theme in their upcoming album. Lead singer Declan’s emotive delivery conveys a sense of wistful longing, as he navigates the “relentless juggling act of day jobs and creative pursuits” that plagues so many aspiring artists. The bridge, which channels the melodramatic flair of Roy Orbison, serves as a moment of introspection where romanticism and disillusionment intertwine. Declan explains:
“There’s obviously this idealistic sentimentality in dreaming – it almost sounds like a sweet, harmless thing to do – but it’s deceptively powerful, because it can send us down paths that end up dictating not only behaviour but entire periods of our lives and ways of living.”
With ‘Sentimental Dreaming’, Red Telephone have crafted an anthem for the modern creative experience – a bittersweet reverie that captures the ecstasy and the anguish of chasing one’s dreams. As the band prepares to unveil their much-anticipated sophomore album Delay The New Day, this single serves as a final glimpse into their ever-evolving sonic landscape.
Find out more about Red Telephone on their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
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