Premiere: Said Sara – “Bleedways” (video)

Released today, the video for Said Sara‘s “Bleedways” captures the track’s captivating mood and brooding character. The black-and-white visuals convey several striking scenes, from nocturnal rainfalls and industrial cityscapes to slice-of-life photography. The particular refrain — “states of waste / and to what lengths to strikethrough life?” — captures a feeling of suffocation within society, and resonates poignantly with the imagery presented.

A fully engaging track exploring aspects of folk, pop, and prog-rock, “Bleedways” is a consuming showing from the San Francisco-based artist. Impressing prior with “I Star As You” in February, singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist David Benson again exhibits a knack for creative structural twists and a passionate performance, in this follow-up to last year’s eponymous EP.

The track’s first minute builds steadily with a stirring acoustical backbone amidst ardent vocals, followed by escalating vocals and added guitar pluckiness. A fun twist around 02:13 reminds fondly of XTC with its suavely concise vocal tone and intriguing guitar resonance. A vocal rise approaching the three-minute mark leads to lovely woodwind-like pushes alongside the acoustical stirring. “Bleedways” is further evidence of Benson’s ability to keep listeners thoroughly engaged via a blend of styles alongside an ever-evolving song structure.

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“Bleedways” and other memorable tracks from June can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of June 2021’ Spotify playlist.