By Aliki Barnes
On the album Flyte by Flyte, Will Taylor and Nick Hill steer away from the heartbreak saga that defined 2021’s This Is Really Going To Hurt. The album offers a unique lens into love and relationships, exploring the euphoric highs of new love and the painful realisation that an existing relationship is destined to end. The sincerity and depth of emotion paired with enchanting indie-folk melodies helped make this album my favourite release of 2023.
The record opens with Speech Bubble a track that lays the groundwork and sets the mood for the rest of the album. The soothing chord progression and velvety vocals seamlessly blend and invite the listener to drift off into a daydream. The lyrics take you deeper into the comfort zone: “Let me make it better. Let me be square. Let me be a good boy. Let me be there. You can throw your sadness at me. I just want to make you happy. I just want to make you happy”. Evoking a sense of nurturing and love, with a subtle touch of naivety, Flyte is giving us exactly what we want to hear.
Photo: The Independent
The following track Defender is in stark contrast to the heartfelt plea of Speech Bubble. While both tracks share a common theme of ultimately wanting to bring happiness to a partner, Defender addresses a much darker and more challenging reality. Released in June last year, the track tells the story of a strained relationship from the perspective of someone striving to shield a partner struggling with their mental health. Enhanced by a raw drum beat against the intricate acoustic guitar and carefully layered beneath Will Taylor’s vocals, the song expertly combines a sense of relief and distress, leaving the listener unsure how to feel, “I call your friends. They send me luck. And I pretend. I'm strong enough. To be your defender”.
The lyrics are candid and unfiltered, portraying both roles in the relationship as equally fragile. It resonates deeply with anyone who has faced mental health challenges, either first-hand or indirectly through loved ones. With its emotive lyrics, delicate instrumentation and soul-stirring vocals, Defender is in a class of its own. It’s the type of song you could listen to all day, every day and continue to discover new layers of meaning.
The sixth track on the album Even On Bad Days, serves as an honest and accurate ode to marriage. Described by Will Taylor as a “realistic wedding vow”, the track beautifully captures the spirit of enduring love. In essence, Flyte are saying “Life is tough but we’re in it together”. What sets them apart from other songwriters is their brutal realism, devoid of bells, roses or fairy-tale endings. Instead, they acknowledge the challenges and celebrate the highs and lows of companionship that make love truly special.
Photo: The Bodega
Flyte have elevated their musical prowess through collaborations with artists like Billie Marten and Laura Marling. Don't Forget About Us, a heartfelt tribute to Billie Marten whose vocals feature in the track moves away from the brutal realism of Flyte"s other work and embraces a more optimistic narrative.
Billie Marten and Will Taylor address their future selves in this song, urging them to cherish and recall the innocent euphoria that defined the early stages of their relationship, “Drinking on the marshes. Underneath the arches. Leaving no traces. Untying my laces in the dark. Don’t forget about us”. The vocal harmonies perfectly intertwine, creating a smooth and synchronised soundscape.
Tough Love is the seventh track on the album and features a compelling collaboration with British singer-songwriter Laura Marling. The musical connection between Flyte and Marling, forged during the pandemic, spontaneously led to this partnership. During the recording process, the duo invited Marling to contribute and immediately her vocals were incorporated.
The Album Cover of Flyte
Photo: Flyte YouTube
Despite the more upbeat guitar chords and drumbeats in comparison to other tracks on the album, Tough Love delves into the frustrations of a drawn-out and painful relationship, “Are you for real, tough love? Do you wanna feel tough love? This could be real tough, love”. The song grapples with the challenges of sustaining a relationship that is headed one way. The single is considered by fans to be the heart of the album, and it’s not hard to see why.
The album skilfully encapsulates the essence of love with a sincerity and authenticity that makes the message feel like heartfelt advice from a caring family member. The record explores a spectrum of emotions from anger, frustration, hopelessness and unconditional love. The collaborative synergy between producer Andrew Sarlo and engineer Dom Monks seems to have been crucial in effortlessly blending all these elements. Despite receiving rave reviews from various online media outlets, the album’s brilliance remains largely undiscovered.