Brighton-based songwriter Ian Roland imagines the emotional distance between lovers through a futuristic space-travel narrative on “Entangled Lives,” a melodic roots-pop song inspired by Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life. His 12-string guitar-led approach brings warmth to the astronaut’s reflections on isolation and humanity’s interconnectedness, with a wry admission about inadequate pay adding an earthy touch to its cosmic perspective.
The track kicks off with its vivid lyricism, emotionally expressive in its depictions of feeling “so alien, skin like a chameleon.” “Miles away, from your love,” Roland’s delivery continues to progress amidst shimmering acoustics and a gentle rhythm section, setting a space-set locale while witnessing our blue planet below. Harmonious backing layers envelop as the guitar work expands from acoustic lushness into twangy exuberance. “Our entangled lives,” he then lets out, fusing melodic lead blissfulness with ongoing guitar-driven interactions between electric twangs and soft acoustic undercurrents.
“Looking down from outer space, our blue planet, somewhere there is you,” his lead presence resonates during an especially gripping moment, where piano adds a seamlessly magnetic quality alongside the harmonious, wordless backing reflections. Twinkling keys, resonant guitars, and layered backing harmonies arrive into another title-bearing refrain as the final minute approaches, also witty and humorous as the astronaut admits “I’m not getting paid enough” to witness this otherworldly sense of isolation. “Entangled Lives” is another high-quality songwriting showcase from Ian Roland, who has previously caught our ears with tracks like “Craving” and “Virtually Free.”
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
