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 recently announced his new album ‘I Love What We Do’ which is slated for release on 14 February 2025 via Dinosaur City Records, and his new single ‘I Don’t Want To Be Loved’ is a glorious cinematic big band production filled with an air of wistful melancholia and bittersweet pop brilliance.
O’Connor says of the track:
When I’m feeling sad I like to write pretty, cynical songs about the love lives of people I barely know. It’s a good thing that many of them never get released. While this one started off in that fashion, it also ended up having a cautious optimism that I’m happy to unleash into the world. It features some beautiful flute work by Hank Clifton-Williamson and superb harmonies by Chloe Sanger.
O’Connor has the ability to paint brilliant sonic portraits that positively shimmer with his deep resonant vocals and ultra bright production. The result is a dramatic sonic tableau that is rich and luscious, chamber pop of the highest order.
The track comes with a vivid video shot, edited and graded by O’Connor himself with Vanity Lair Studio, featuring an ubiquitous animated penguin. O’Connor says of the video:
I shot the video with the intention of making it into a colourful neo-noir fantasy with venetian blinds, curling smoke, blue silhouettes and spooky shadow play. At some point I tried a hallmark greeting card vibe and then fully committed to that – I like how it sits with the mildly obnoxious sentiment of the song. Perhaps I’ll print off some ‘I Don’t Want To Be Loved’ greeting cards for Valentine’s Day merch? Sarah Mary Chadwick did my makeup and glued a million dollars worth of gold glitter on my face. I was up until 3am cleaning it off, but it was worth it.
It’s a stunning beautiful video filled with the same pathos as the song:
You can stream and download the single here.
O’Connor’s fourth album ‘I Love What We Do’ offers the first taste of his most collaborative body of work to date.
Due out on 14 February 2025, O’Connor says of the album:
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 and through the link below.
Feature Photograph: Geoffrey O’Connor
