With an intro that feels like stepping into an unfamiliar, snow-laden forest, the track draws you in with haunting simplicity—every note hangs like mist in the air, leaving you searching for more.
This isn’t a song that conforms to pop conventions: ‘Alive’ is built on contradictions; it’s both sparse and lush, tender and unyielding. Harkling’s vocals drift in, airy yet full of weight, like the first light after months of winter darkness. Her voice doesn’t demand attention—it commands it. There’s an urgency in her delivery, an almost whispered plea, as she sings, “We’re alive and shining light in the dark.” It’s a line that sits heavy, resonating long after the music fades.
The production is refreshingly unpolished, capturing the raw edges of a moment rather than sanding them down. There’s an improvisational quality that sets it apart, likely a nod to Harkling’s roots in live electronic performance. You can almost hear the trial and error, the ‘fuck around and find out’ mentality that she’s embraced in her creative process. Each beat, each synth line feels like a discovery—something unearthed rather than manufactured.
A minimal beat anchors the track, steady but never overpowering, allowing atmospheric layers to ebb and flow like Arctic tides. It’s subtle but purposeful, giving the sense of movement without ever being rushed. Textures are everything here—soft piano chords blend with electronic pulses, creating a soundscape that feels alive, constantly shifting. There’s a fragility to it, like the track could dissolve at any moment, but it never does. It’s a delicate dance between control and release.
Credits: 'Alive' was mixed and mastered by Samuel D, press photos by Daniel Clark, and cover art by Michael Oswell
What stands out most is how ‘Alive’ captures a feeling of in-betweenness. It’s neither triumphant nor tragic; it lives in the spaces where light meets shadow, where hope coexists with uncertainty. Harkling has a way of making this ambiguity feel like home, inviting listeners to sit with their own complexities rather than resolve them. It’s music that breathes with you, that lets you linger in its open-ended questions.
Harkling shows us that music doesn’t need to shout to make an impact. With this track, she crafts a sound that’s intensely personal yet universally resonant, inviting you to embrace the beauty in the struggle and find your own light in the dark.
SAVE THE DATE:
18th-20th October - UNITY Festival @ Great North Museum - Newcastle
25th - 27th October - UNITY Festival @ Kirkleatham Museum - Redcar
Thursday 28th November - FRESH - @ Cobalt Studios - Newcastle
Sunday 1st December - Guest collaboration with Shunyata Improvisation Group - @ Cullercoats Watch House - Cullercoats
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