Cork Indie-Rockers The Cliffords release the spine tingle inducing new beauty ‘Feels Like A Man’. A slow, atmospheric builder the track is a masterclass in musicality, restraint and song-craft.
Soaked in reverb, the track grows from it’s stripped pulsing picked bass intro, topped with the silky smooth, captivatingly fragile lead vocals to an explosive and euphoric finally. Gradually introducing drums and guitar throughout, ‘Feels Like A Man’ subtly layers notes and swirling atmospherics throughout, allowing the vocals to shine before exploding into the final chorus as the vocals enter a higher octave and the shoegaze-tinted guitar lines grow more prevalent.
Beautifully arranged with a sense of real understanding and tenderness, the track is comparable to Phoebe Bridgers as it is to London Grammar and even elements of Slowdive.
Speaking about the single, the band explain: ”‘Feels Like a Man’ is a love letter to the female relationships I’ve experienced in my life, both platonic and romantic. The “man” referenced in the song is really more of a metaphor for power or confidence – the power to be who you want without a fear of consequences. The song is set in our hometown of Cork, referencing the iconic Patrick’s hill, as well as Shandon steeple in the lyric “liar’s land”, as it is often referred to as “the four liars”. I wrote the song after meeting and spending a lot of time with a girl who seemed to be fearless and unapologetically herself. Spending time with her allowed me to feel the same. The song also touches on themes of self-doubt and seasonal depression.”
Listen below:
