The video for a mostly acoustic live version of a brilliant song – ‘NO News On TV’ has just been released by Tel Aviv-based artist Noga Erez and it is simply stunning. This version, called ‘NO News on TV (Kids Against The Machines Volume II)’ was recorded live almost spontaneously at a friend’s house with very little time for rehearsal.
With hand clap percussion and layers of vocals and shouts that switch and change, there is a heart racing dynamism to this performance that sent me straight back to listen to the original. Sitting somewhere between Lily Allen and Gorillaz, this is a brilliant song that is studied and cool while being antithetically effervescent. What is clear is the strength of the song, and the skill and cohesion of the musicians.
Erez says of the song:
This song was written during a period where I had more time than I’ve had in a decade. I was able to sit down and work my ass off on new music without any emails disturbing the silence. No notifications, nothing. I wanted to write a song that talked about that. I felt a deep need to imagine what it would be like to live in a world with no politics, money, grit, racism or violenceI call this song ‘A children’s song for adults’ because it shows a naive, utopian reflection of reality. I just needed to have a song like that. An escape song. But what was an escape song to me a few months back became an absurd, self criticism provoking song to me.
It now sounds to me more like a frantic search to close myself off and separate myself from the real world. This isn’t time for escaping, it’s a time for confronting. And I am happy that this song was able to transform into a new form of actually giving a true, honest and criticising perspective on the need for apathy and escapism.
My pure daydream fantasy became an eye opener. Singing about how ‘everybody’s free’ right now is such an incredible dissonance for me. It says exactly what it needs to say: not everyone is free. Actually most of us aren’t, but some of us are literally, physically not free. And that has to change fast.
The result is quite spectacular and utterly engrossing: a complex live performance that resonates and fascinates:
The original song, written in social isolation is just as brilliant.
The song will be on Erez’s second album, which has immediately got me searching for her first. Erez works with partner and co-writer, composer and producer Ori Rousso. You can get the single here.
Feature Photograph: Omri Rosengart
