London-based psych-pop solo artist SANDS premieres the new single ‘So Real’, the first release from an ambitious two-part project. Out today, the track is part one of the two part single with the B-side ‘Pirate’.
With ‘So Real’, SANDS delves into surreal and shadowy terrain, crafting a soundscape that is both grand in its stadium-worthy production and cinematic in scope, yet intimate and heartfelt in its delivery. The single weaves a lush ’80s undertone with indie immediacy, creating an off-kilter mix that evokes David Bowie’s adventurous spirit with the emotional depth of Nick Cave or Arcade Fire – The vocals carry a sharp, ’90s urgency, set against a piano led electronic soundscape in part reminiscent of David Sylvian. The floating verse propels the song toward a dangerously catchy chorus, balancing psychedelic textures with undeniable commercial appeal.
“These tracks explore the tipping point — the moment when reality starts to distort and the absurd becomes seductive,” says SANDS. “It’s a bit of a shift from ‘The World’s So Cruel’, the mood is a bit more cinematic if not theatrical. Things are more unstable — like a cracked mirror.”
Drawing from the hazy textures of psychedelia, the emotional intensity of dark pop, and a surrealist narrative sense, ‘So Real’ sets the tone for a compelling two-part project that balances tension and ambiguity with moments of beauty and buoyancy.
Listen below:
