Esme Bridie’s New Single Is Here, And We’re Absolutely ‘Mad About It’!
Liverpool-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Esme Bridie is back with a brand-new single, Mad About It. Released independently on 26 October, the track follows the release of past singles, 2021’s Tower of Regret and 2020’s Shades of Blue, Sensitivity and Say the Words.
Having enjoyed support including from BBC Introducing Merseyside as well as airplay from Jazz FM and Amazing Radio, Esme’s latest single continues in the indie-rock direction her previous work has seen her explore, yet with a more warm, upbeat tone than recent releases.
Sonically, Mad About It fits right in amongst the musical world of artists referenced by Esme herself (Big Thief, Lucy Dacus, Julia Jacklin), yet there is also a distinctly 90’s tinge to the track which brings a nostalgic feel. Recorded at Liverpool’s Soundback Studio, driving drums (performed by Sam Pierpoint) are combined with pulsing lead synths, melodic bass (George Higgins) and electric guitar riffs (Jay Taylor) in creating the track’s instantly catchy hooks.
Esme’s soft, double tracked vocals – her tone perhaps reminiscent of Adrianne Lenker and Claire Cottrill (Clairo) – bring a chorus-like effect, mirroring the cover artwork, which pictures Esme’s reflection repeatedly overlayed in a ghost-like effect. The bridge brings the track to a more stripped-back space as Esme’s vocals bare contemplative lyrics: “Your reflection isn’t who you wanna be, she looks like someone who would break so easily”.
“It’s about impatience and frustration at not being ‘in’ with people”, Esme describes of the song: “like going to the bathroom at a party and seeing that you had something in your teeth”, “feeling embarrassed but mostly feeling angry and hurt that none of your friends told you”. Mad About It is “like me giving myself a bathroom pep talk” and “realis[ing] that only you can change the things about yourself that you want to change. Only you can get the parsley out of your teeth!”
Mad About It marks the first of five upcoming singles which will make up Esme’s debut EP, fittingly titled Something In Your Teeth. The single’s release is joined by a charming music video, which explores the song’s themes further “in a fun and edgy way”, through Esme’s portrayal of a “sad clown in the pursuit of self-acceptance”.
Esme Bridie Mad About It Official Music Video
Esme clearly has a strong creative vision and solid rollout planned for her debut EP. It will be exciting to see what is coming next from this talented singer-songwriter! Mad About It is available to stream on platforms now, alongside the accompanying music video. Be sure to check out Esme Bridie on socials to keep up with her upcoming EP release on the horizon!
Stream Mad About It on Spotify now.
Follow Esme Bridie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
Jude Bankier
