THE DAWDLER – the brilliant North-East singer-songwriter known to friends and family as John Edgar – has today released a second song from his forthcoming debut EP Sign of Growth for his new home, Akira Records.
It follows the heartbreak of last month’s “Lava Lamps”, the elegy for a lost friend which, with T-shirt sales on a Bandcamp Friday, raised almost £800 for the mental health charities Mind and Breathing Space. If you haven’t heard that, you really should; pop over here.
We’ve embedded his latest melodious missive below; it shimmers so brightly, guitars glittering, voice gliding in reverb; it’s pure and sleek, intelligent widescreen pop. But what’s that you’re singing, Edgar? “I’ve never played chess with a crocodile” …
“The lyrics to ‘Crocodile’ are based on a dream. A game of chess with a crocodile that develops into a terrifying chase with murderous intentions,” he says.
“Probably my subconsciousness’s reaction to the rise of fascism and the anxiety inducing polarisation of the socio-political landscape.
“The options presented in the lyrics are to face the fears head on and fight, or to somehow retreat into the solar system – dancing with the moon and sleeping on Saturn’s rings.”
Melody, allegory, poetry, the dream state; he packs it into three and a bit minutes.
Sign Of Growth pulls no lyrical punches, be sure: it casts a tunesmith’s eye over death, loneliness, grief and alcoholism – but always ensuring there’s a light shining through.
Edgar says: “I feel happy in my life, I’m in love and I’m comfortable and I have a home. It means I can address things in a more subtle way. I like music where you’re able to form your own meaning”.
He encapsulates it so well in just three words on his Twitter profile as “Ambient pop. Sad.”
Watch out for news of the The Dawdler’s debut EP at Akira Records, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
