Happy Fall, everyone! Singer-songwriter from Liverpool, Euan Blackman, is back with “alt folk for the kind folk.” I have previously stated in this publication that he is one of the artists on my heavy rotation during rainy weather in the DMV. His new track, “The Ballad of a Broken Machine” proves me right, once again.
On the track, Euan says: “TBOABM is probably one of the dreamiest songs I’ve ever created. Lyrically it’s a love song, but I thought it would be fun to base the narrative around the idea of a robot/machine that finds love and begins to malfunction due to the emotional intensity. I think as humans we’re all emotionally vulnerable creatures, and occasionally the right (or wrong) person can cause us to drift away from our usual programming. I definitely was inspired by the books of Sally Rooney in the storytelling. When producing the track I wanted to take all the sounds and ideas of bedroom pop (such as Clairo, Mac Demarco) and combine these elements with the traditional instruments of acoustic music.”
“‘Cause when I’m alone/ I feel like a drone/ stacking plates away” is my favorite lyric in the track because to me, it expresses how sometimes a person can be so used to the feeling of being with someone and the excitement that comes with it and when they are gone, our lives can feel empty and boring.
Fans of The 1975, Phoebe Bridgers, and bedroom pop will find themselves enchanted by the sounds of Euan Blackman. I cannot wait for more!
“The Ballad of a Broken Machine” is available now on major streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Maura Marcellino is studying business and environmental sustainability at George Mason University. When she is not studying, Maura enjoys listening to music and spending time with friends and family.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
