Render Ghosts – Keeping My Number (2022)
With their debut single ‘Eye Rhyme’, Render Ghosts mapped out the disorientation of digital human relationships through the electronic flow of the music. With their follow-up release ‘Keeping My Number’, they take a closer look at relationships through the sassy yet bittersweet tones. Through the single, they tell the story of the narrator who is struggling to get their ex to understand that their relationship is completely over.
Taking the catchiness of their debut single, they are turning up the addictive power for this track. Replacing some of the retro tones of the debut with dream-pop sensibilities, the band shows that they have a lot to offer. With a strange ease, they merge melodic alternative pop tones with something truly life-affirming, while packing their attitude into each note.
‘Keeping My Number’ draws you in with a warble of synths. While the melody has a dream pop flow, there is a great beat that moves you down the soundscape. The synths have the lightest retro touch, but this is overtaken by a more modern flow. Through the melody, you are drawn into a strange suspended space where you want to move forward, but there is something holding you back. This perfectly matches the lyrics and overall message of the track. Later in the track, the music takes a more subdued turn, losing some of the dreaminess for a cold blast of reality.
As you float in the space created by the synths, the vocals pull you into the important conversation of the lyrics. There is a feeling of understanding to van Esch’s vocals as she tries to get someone to understand that the relationship is over. She acknowledges the urge to work through things, but tempers this urge with the knowledge that things are not working. As she floats into the really catchy chorus, she brings a hint of bittersweet feeling. When the music changes, there is a sombre feeling to the vocals as she tries one last time to really get through to the person. There is a splash of attitude to her performance that is softened with an understanding of the emotions both parties feel.
Render Ghosts uses sassy yet bittersweet tones, wrapped in the warble of modern synths, to try and make someone understand a relationship is over in ‘Keeping My Number’. The melody has a touch of retro tones that is washed on modern pop sensibilities. The vocals are understanding, while firm in their sentiment, as they flow with a really catchy movement.
Find out more about Render Ghosts on their website, Instagram and Spotify.
