Singer/songwriter/producer Geoffrey O’Connor last blessed us with his presence in his stunning album of duets ‘For As Long As I Remember’ back in 2021 (read my review here). O’Connor today announces his new album ‘I Love What We Do’ which is slated for release on 14 February 2025 via Dinosaur City Records, and the title track has been released as the first single.
The single indicates it is business as usual for this indie pop connoisseur with the return of his dulcet tones and lush arrangements, a luscious aquatic instrumentation bubbling underneath. There is a soft and delicate pop sensibility reminiscent of The Lightning Seeds or Pulp with a sixties insouciant blush. And the flute again makes a welcome return – adding a gold filigree to the music with the soft backing vocals. O’Connor says the track is:
…a big song and dance about my own mediocrity and the joy of finding someone to share it all with
The track evokes a sort of country house melodrama replete with ball gowns and tuxedos, which is fitting given the prominence of a penguin in the charmingly sweet video, shot, edited and graded by Geoffrey O’Connor and Vanity Lair Studio. O’Connor says of the video:
I’m hoping this lands somewhere within the Bermuda triangle of Mary Poppins, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and You Can Call Me Al.
I hired an animator who specialises in Disney’s golden age to make the adorable penguin throw some shapes. I was going for a bored, listless vibe for myself, to contrast with the raw, uninhibited energy of the penguin.
I shot the music video by myself in my living room in front of a very confused greyhound. In retrospect, it’s kind of an insult to the greyhound that a cartoon got the role instead of her.
‘I Love What We Do’ is an absolute cinematic delight:
The single is out today and available to download and stream via all the usual sites.
Of the forthcoming album, due out on 14 February 2025, O’Connor says:
The album involves more guest musicians than anything I’ve been involved with previously, including harp, flute, singing saw, cello, viola, violin, choral harmonies and duet vocals. Following my most recent duets-only album, it felt like a good idea to again commit to a new and distinctive sonic palette.
Indeed, O’Connor’s ability to collaborate sees him working with the virtuosic Hank Clifton-Williamson (Sarah Mary Chadwick, Mystery Shopper) on piano, violin and flute, Genevieve Fry (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) on harp, Jessica Venables (Jessica Says) on cello, and Emma Kelley on musical saw and violin. Backing vocalists include 80 year old folk/blues legend Margret RoadKnight, as well as Emma Russack (Snowy Band) and Chloe Sanger (Good Morning). He also returns to duet mode on album closer ‘It’s Nice To Think’ with the inimitable Sarah Mary Chadwick.
The album is dominated by themes of rain, from Geoffrey’s Spy-In-A-Thunderstorm look on the Darren Sylvester-photographed cover, to the atmospheric field recordings that permeate the album. But it’s also Geoffrey’s sunniest record in a long time, at points harking back to the wide-eyed technicolour pop of his much-loved 2000s group Crayon Fields. O’Connor says:
I find rain both exciting and soothing – two very different yet complementary feelings,” he says. “Similarly, the title I Love What We Do makes me think of both the wild and mundane things lovers do. This all feels appropriate for a collection of songs about small moments that feel big.
You can pre-order the album here.
To celebrate the release of his new single ‘I Love What We Do‘, Geoffrey will be hosting a series of intimate ‘dinner and show’ concerts in his personal studio in Fitzroy, Melbourne / Naarm.
These ‘dinner and show’ events will be held on Friday November 1, Saturday November 2 and Monday November 4. To secure yourself a ticket head to this ticket link– all funds raised via ticket sales will go to Act For Peace, Gaza Emergency Appeal.
You can also catch Geoffrey performing with Donny Benet at The Night Cat, Saturday November 23rd. Tickets here.
Feature Photograph: Darren Sylvester
