One of New Zealand’s most well known 'rock chicks', Julia Deans has released a stunning new single called Clandestine. After performing live performances on both Jesse Mulligan's National Radio Show and Russell Brown's Orcon Sessions at Golden Dawn, Julia was inundated with requests from fans to release the song.
Clandestine is from her forthcoming album We Light Fire, which is due out in May and recorded live at Roundhead. It's a song “about that moment when it dawns on you that you’ve been behaving like a complete & utter dick – that you have hurt someone you deeply love, and that loves you. It’s about acknowledging your actions & preparing to ask forgiveness”.
Julia’s sweet but strong voice, clearly belts out the heartfelt lyrics, showcasing her versatility yet again. She sweetly delivers powerful vocals accompanied by a gorgeous rich orchestral backdrop of instrumentals.
This is a luxurious track with beautiful composition and offers a tantalising taste on what could be on her latest album.
I sense this is a far cry from the Fur Patrol days of the late 1990's, but Deans still delivers her powerful vocal range faultlessly.
Clandestine has the ability to get stuck in the recesses of your brain and have you humming quietly to yourself at any given time. I wait in anticipation for the next chapter of the Julia Deans musical story.
5 Stars
Review written by Corinne Rutherford
Having first come to the fore as the sassy and beguiling front woman for platinum-selling band Fur Patrol at the turn of the century, the past decade has seen Julia Deans transition from iconic rock chick to glorious songbird.
Deans’ first solo album Modern Fables was released to critical acclaim in 2010, earning her a swag of nominations for several coveted musical accolades including the Taite Music Prize, the APRA Silver Scroll (for A New Dialogue) and Best Female Solo Artist and Best Pop Album at the NZ Music Awards.
Though it has been close to eight years between releases, Deans’ collection of songs We Light Fire, released in 2018, saw her return to the song writing fore enriched with experience and full of purpose. Inspired by world events, friends, and family, the new album examines both what it means to be human, and our spectrum of strength and vulnerability.