We head over to Los Angeles where resident singer/songwriter See Night is on the cusp of releasing her new album, Just Another Life, out on the 28th of this month. Today we have the pleasure of premiering the title track, an enchanting slice of indie-pop rock.
See Night is the project for guitarist and singer-songwriter Linda Sao. “Just Another Life” is a track that born out of the frustration of the pandemic. Sao was planning to head to Europe to do some touring, but like everyone else, the plans were put on hold. The track is about putting the past behind, and moving on.
There is so much to love about “Just Another Life”. The vocals are warm and gripping. There’s a purity yet a hint of darkness to them. They are beautifully paired with an infectious, almost cosmic, new wave-like melody, before escalating into a grand, pulsating bridge that feels like an epic journey. There’s a sense of isolation in the song’s nostalgic tone, as we end up in uncharted territory.
Sao gave the AU the background to “Just Another Life”:
“I actually had a different album title in mind for the past couple of years and only recently made track three, ‘Just Another Life,’ the title track. I wrote the song when I was at a standstill during pandemic thinking about the myriad chapters of my past, but it’s since come to fruition as also being reflective of the now. With the passing of my father and the unexpected start of a completely new life in Los Angeles, the album title is so true to the moment for me. Here I am, starting just another life yet again—let’s see where this one takes me.
Life ended up imitating art in the lyrics ‘I don’t need more bags, heavy hearts pack light / I guess you’re just another one for another life.’ I’ve experienced a loss and also left behind so much community to start from scratch in LA. But it’s a familiar experience to me, so I do it with a heavy heart and also, thankfully, a lot of invigorating hope. With lonely seeking come beautiful introductions and goodbyes.
I’ve spontaneously lived in so many places—including Melbourne, which I absolutely loved—just me lugging my guitar and whatever visions for my personal and musical life I had with me at the time. I moved to San Francisco alone specifically with the intention of starting a band somehow, and that ultimately led to See Night; now, after abruptly leaving SF, I’m living in Los Angeles.”
The band for the track was comprised of Chris Tench on guitars, Brad Pemberton on drums and Tres Sasser on bass. It was co-produced by Tres Sasser and Linda Sao. It was engineered and mixed by Joe Costa and mastered by Brian Lucey.
The album, Just Another Life, is out on the 28th of February (not long to go now!). It promises to be a shoegaze / dreampop / psych reflection on the lives we lead and ultimately leave behind to start fresh. Most of the songs were recorded over a three-day period with co-producer Tres Sasser in his Tresland studio in Nashville. We can’t wait to hear the rest of the record.
You can keep up to date with See Night via her website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp
Header image credit: Evelyn Shafer
