Track of the Day: Spearmint – Walk Away From Hollywood
Sometimes, at this time of year, it can seem like summer has gone and all you have to look forward to is grey autumn skies until Christmas. What you need in such times is a breezy, summery slice of British whimsical power-pop. ‘Walk Away from Hollywood’ by London four-piece Spearmint delivers on everything you want from an end of summer single. Upbeat, guitar-driven verse? Tick. Multi-layered harmonies? Tick. Hammond organ sound? Tick. Singalong chorus? Tick. All of this jollity contrasts somewhat with the downbeat lyrics, which compares fame with “being pushed from a moving car”
As frontman Shirley Lee says, “‘Walk Away From Hollywood’ is a celebration of walking away from your dreams, of having to change path halfway through your life. In the context of the album, it’s about coping when the band you’re in splits up and you have to figure out what to do next given that your dream has come to nothing.” One hopes that this catchy song will lead to a more fulfilling end to Lee and his bandmate’s dreams, alongside the release of their new album ‘Holland Park’ (out on 17th September).
‘Walk away from Hollywood’ rewards repeated listening and reminds me, more than anything, of short-lived American power-pop maestros Jellyfish. This, in my book, is a very good thing. So, forget that summer is officially over, put Spearmint on very loud and blow those autumnal greys away.
For more from Spearmint check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
