Track: New Zealand's Pale Lady release the bright and bouncy track 'Lost and Found'

Just as New Zealand is the first major land mass to hit 2021, it is fitting that Wellington’s Pale Lady is the first review for 2021 from me. ‘Lost And Found’ is an effervescent start: a bright and bouncy pop track with slightly metal guitar riffs and sky-high catchy melodies. It’s classic indie fare – bright choruses and plenty of attitude.

Of the lyrical themes, bass player and vocalist Connall Ryan explains:

‘Lost and Found’ is about being with someone when they don’t really care about how you feel. They treat you affectionately and lead you into thinking they are interested, but then will coldly push you away without any explanation. Yet, even knowing this, you decide to stay with them anyway, to your own detriment.

This a very exaggerated interpretation of a situation I was in, but what can I say – I’m an emotional boy who says emotional things.

The dynamism and pulse-quickening nature of the sound was a deliberate progression, as drummer Sam Higham explains:

A big part of our music is the combination of classic rock elements mixed with modern music production. We saw our new single ‘Lost and Found’ as an opportunity to try and make the most out of a top-class recording studio. We recorded the track at Roundhead Studios in Auckland New Zealand which provided us with numerous musical toys to play with. Before hitting the studio, Lost and Found as a song was fairly complete but we left lots of room for creative ideas to take place as part of the recording process. What we ended up with was a song fuelled by an emotional message and the fun creative energy we had while recording it.

I’m sure you will agree the result is very cathartic and thoroughly enjoyable. The track is accompanied by a very charming video charting the perils and pleasures of speed dating: