By Cynthia Gross
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“In Between,” the latest single from Dutch alternative synth pop band Sheila and the Kit, is a beautiful, dreamy soundscape that explores heartbreak, desolation, and how far our love can reach to save someone who has all but given up.
Sheila and the Kit note that their new album “was created in a vacuum.” “A global pause. The stillness made room for reflection, and the lack of clubs and distractions made room for heartbreak and insecurities.”
“In Between” feels warm and inviting like a synth-infused lullaby, wrapped in tenderness, melancholy, and sensuality. The weightiness of the lyrics is effortlessly juxtaposed with the airy nature of the musical composition, creating an even more powerful track because of the tension.
“Give me all your panic / I will carry all of it / I’ll give you all you’re longing for / Crawl back in my arms tonight,” Sheila and the Kit sing in the track. Unlike traditional love songs that focus on the physical aspect of relationships, “In Between” is a plea for reconnection with a lover who is mentally and emotionally distant despite close physical proximity.
The protagonist gives all of herself in an attempt to bring her lover back to shore from the dark recesses of the mind: “Hold me close / And I kiss your restless mind / Cause my love’s strong / I want it all.” And yet, the irreparable loss is palpable, leading listeners to doubt whether this story will have a happy ending.
Sheila and the Kit share, “Feeling melancholic for better days is becoming all too familiar in these times,” clearly referring to the effects of the pandemic that will have negative mental health repercussions worldwide for years to come.
The breathtaking and heartbreaking climax of “In Between” is one that’s not soon forgotten: “You’re in between / I’ll show you where my love has been / Let me back in / It’s just me.”
Fans of Robyn and Eefje de Visser will identify with Sheila and the Kit’s intricate, layered compositions that effectively balance processed electronic sounds with heartfelt, emotive overtones.
“In Between” is the second single from the band’s upcoming album, set to release in spring 2022. If this new sound is any indication of the rest of the album, it is not one to be missed.
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Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.
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