Friday 14 August 2020

Single Review: Pluto We Heart You - Claudia Robin Gunn


It doesn't happen very often, but every now and then something particularly special comes along. This is certainly true of "Pluto We Heart You" the new single from Claudia Robin Gunn a singer-songwriter from Auckland, New Zealand.


Clearly on some interplanetary space mission, this song is both delightful and ambitious in all its colourful flavouring. It is taken from her new album Little Wild Universe an extraordinary work of melodic and poetic imagination.


The song begins with a somewhat staccato string arrangement, followed by a hypnotic vocal pattern, where the title Pluto is spelt out in almost Laurie Anderson fashion.  The lead vocal is then delivered with a purity of spirit and a heartfelt delivery that reminded me a little of Suzanne Vega.

 

The lyrics are dreamy and wistful, tantalising the listener with eloquent descriptions of ‘ice mountains and flowing glaciers’ and ‘blue skies and frozen shorelines'. The vocals effortlessly merge with an array of musical soundscapes and potent harmonies, delicately sprinkled throughout the track.

 

Towards the end, the artist delivers a genuine sense of time and place, whilst reminiscing over a photograph of Pluto shown to her by a former teacher, ‘beaming back as precious data’ in all its digital glory.  Whether this is a true story or a lyrical construction I guess we may never know.  

 

I have no prior knowledge of Claudia's influences but I would hazard a guess that if you like Suzanne Vega, The Coors, Brian Eno, The Carpenters, Simon and Garfunkel or Kate Bush then you are going to absolutely love this music.  

 

Claudia Robin Gunn is clearly a major talent. Her new single engages the listener, with intriguing hooks and inspired melodies throughout. The lyrics are superb, and sung with heartfelt resonance and inspired originality. So, if you fancy taking a trip to the stars, then check out this new emerging artist, who is literally out of this world. 

 

Claudia Robin Gunn – reach for the stars.

No comments:

Post a Comment