FAWM: "Strange Darling"

Strange Darling

Liner Notes

Loosely inspired by the 2024 film of the same name. Seems like my #firstfruits often result in an odd outlier. I was aiming for a #postpunk / #newwave type sound, and it's certainly in the broader #indiepop category, but it wasn't really what I had in my head. Arrangement needs a lead instrument, guitar, synth... horseshoe rules apply to FAWM.

I suppose it's worth mentioning that this song and lyrics do sort of contain a spoiler for the film. If you have it on a watchlist, don't focus on the lyrics too hard.

Lyrics

[VERSE] Meet cute from a dark dream Unsure if it is mine. She deserves to, have some fun ...and she has me in mind. Needs it turned up, to her limit To have the ache cured Safety trusted to a stranger and a spoken word

[CHORUS] Isn't it strange, strange darling. Who's the demon now. Isn't it strange, darling. Who are you, who are you now.

[VERSE] Future crime scene, bathed in hot pink carnal pantomime A cat toying with, expectations by design Blood red neon motel scene Fantasy undone. A flash of evil, prevarication says my time has come

[CHORUS] Isn't it strange, strange darling. Who's the demon now. Isn't it strange, darling. Who are you, who are you now.

[BRIDGE] A dry regret, the needle's wet A fantasy embraced A work of art, electric heart So passionately placed. A perfect flame, a wicked game The demon took my place The dark disguise, of lover’s eyes Staring in your face.

[SOLO]

[OUTRO] Isn't it strange, strange darling. Who's the demon now. Isn't it strange, darling. Who are you, who are you now.

Comments

@nwhosings 4h

Dark, kinda spacey vibe, I like how the lyrics get crisp and percussive in contrast to the instruments through the bridge. The ambiguousity of the lyrics is reflected in the instrumentation.

@nahlej381 14h

Thanks for the spoiler warning! You’re courteous and I likes that. Idk if I told you I got a part time job overnights at a movie theater, I got the go ahead from my boss to record in one of theatres so ima be doing that some this month gotta do a collab from there fa sho!

This grooves I think it kinda rocks as is but if someone adds to it I’ll check it out.

@andygetch 14h

Interesting light fun set of background noises in contrast to a dark lyric. Solid delivery. Haven't seen the movie. Prolly won't ever.

@nadine 17h

Nice bleeps and bloops. I did not expect you to go so electronic and it sounds good!

@dreamscuba 17h

I really dig the synths and the rhythm. Great vocals. I like how the vocals come to the centre in the chorus.

@sheamiejay 17h

I’m hearing some The The. Your voice reminds me of Matt Johnson. I like how you have the bridge on top of the chorus.

@davidtaro 18h

I love the way the arpeggiated synth just kind of does its own thing all the way through the track, like a sweet, slightly demented baby robot. Your vocal is properly cool, works so well with this genre (whatever you decide that genre is - I mean, I'm cool with any of the above). I'm getting some nice Pet Shop Boys vibes. Great opener mate.

@spazsquatch 17h

I found a project I set up a few months ago with an Apple Drummer track that fed into a MIDI plugin that shifted the notes to Dm pentetonic. Project was 8 bars of that and the bassline. I have no idea what I had in mind but I liked the effect. It really is a demented robot doing it's own thing, shoved into the key.

Very Pet Shop Boys vibe now that you point it out. Making a note of that.

@wolfkier 18h

Lovely. intense, evocative narrative lyric and that arp synth gives it bubble and crunch and the chorus is an earworm for sure. Well done, congrats on your first out of the box!

@rowleyjohnuk 18h

suberb track, love the panning synth and the sequence and bass and the filtered. Great how voices pan opp side for chorus! Chorus is really good lyrics!