The Bergamot – Burns (2021)
Drawing together elements of contemporary pop, indie-pop and folk, with underlying tinges of pop-rock, US-based The Bergamot have an ethereal and unique sound. Formed approximately five or six years ago, the talented duo was discovered primarily via their intriguing YouTube videos – kind of like Justin Bieber, but not really. Described by publications the Daily Mirror as “a gorgeous sound” and “the hottest emerging music talent by People, these singer-songwriters have everything going for them. They’re also pretty good-looking, so definitely everything going for them. The latest addition to their critically acclaimed repertoire is the single ‘Burns’.
Released just before their live album, A South Short Christmas, ‘Burns’ finds the borderline between dream-pop and folk in the intimate track. A synth-laden single, ‘Burns’ has a contemporary sound; however, the old-school Carole King and Joni Mitchell sentimentalities stand out in the arrangement. It is as if The Bergamot are representatives of iconic folk in modern-day society making us appreciate the boundary-breaking breath of fresh air.
Beautifully arranged, there is a degree of simplicity in the texturing and layers, yet a complex delicacy remains in ‘Burns’. It might be the languid and easy listening with an upbeat baseline, but there is a melancholic poignancy in the track. Touching on current issues like isolation, desperation, inner conflict, exhaustion and frustration, ‘Burns’ is a conceptual piece looking at our uncertain society. Hoff shares that “we’ve seen great tragedy through these times but great moments of beauty as well.”
In addition to the single, The Bergamot released an official music video for ‘Burns’. While there is a simplicity in the filming and design, the video acts as a bold visual representation of intricate fragility. The thing is, while there is a strong sadness to the video it is also one of optimism in dark days – a light at the end of a tunnel if you will. Intimate connections and an even deeper intimacy are seen in this interesting video. Hoff explains that “through 2020, we have all lost significant loved ones, things, opportunities…as we reflect on what the future holds, we are uncertain what will resume or be replaced. It’s a time of great opportunity and hope, but also of tremendous uncertainty.”
For more from The Bergamot check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
