Josh Dann is a Hamilton-based multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey started at the age of eleven when he was inspired to pick up an instrument when he heard someone playing a clarinet. Since then, he has also taken up other instruments such as saxophone, piano and bass, and his latest single finds him playing all instruments apart from drums, which are provided by Luke Rodgers. The single is self-produced and mixed, with Brian Reeves undertaking the mastering.

The lyrics were originally written by Josh’s father as a poem for a couple who had lost someone, and he felt that Josh should turn it into a song, and this is the result. Josh says it is about a friend losing someone important, and inviting them to step towards the loss, sitting with it, living in the tension of our feelings, acknowledging them without having to fix them. Hence the words "and to listen, just for a moment".

The production on this is beautiful, as it commences just with piano which has plenty of reverb before Josh comes in with his plaintive vocals, asking the question as to why the earth has not stopped because his has. It is poignant and emotional, with additional instruments providing warmth and comfort. I must confess that for me the drums sound out of place here, as it is almost as if they are adding a dance-style beat, which just does not work in this context and the early passages would have benefited from not having them. However, it does mean that when Josh drops everything apart from delicate piano their lack is really felt. This is a song where space is an essential instrument, and the lack of drive is incredibly important, as we are taken on an emotional journey. It is a lengthy song at nearly eight minutes, and as we get to just past five minutes it really starts to build, and this is where the drums have a far different approach, really adding to the drive and passion.

In some ways reminiscent of Coldplay, this is an incredibly powerful number which has a slow build but becomes dramatic and sweeping. For this song Josh has used synths to provide strings and horns, but I can imagine this being performed in front of a full orchestra, a treatment it richly deserves. When it ends as quietly as it begins, the listener feels emotionally drained, and thinking about the words they have just heard.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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