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An Island of Clouds EP (High Resolution Master)

by S J Denney

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    The Hi-Res (24bit/96K) mastering of 'An Island of Clouds EP' is as close as you can get to the sound of the studio. If hearing the highest possible sound quality is important to you, then this is where you’ll get it. The mastering was done by Nigel Palmer at Lowland Masters. The tracks have minimal EQ and no dynamic range compression. To allow for full dynamic range, and to let the music “breathe”, the Hi-Res version has about 6-8db less digital level than a typical “loud” peak-limited CD or mp3. To enjoy it to the fullest extent, play this record back though a good system and turn up the volume. With this increased level of detail and sonic impact, I hope you'll enjoy listening to 'An Island of Clouds EP'.
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1.
Beginnings 02:36
In the beginning We were stronger than today Now you’re beginning To hear me when I say- That I don’t know why And I don’t know when Something changed And then we played into their hands Now it’s time for the future So we wait for a sign… In the beginning We were strong enough to learn Things are beginning To take a different turn But I don’t know where And I don’t know why But I know that things seem clearer in my head We can find new beginnings If we wait for our time… In the beginning We were strong and they were brave Now they’re beginning To look the other way We are living New beginnings We are living New beginnings
2.
That look on your face I copy and paste Onto another one With wonder and charm To hold in the palm of my hand Just a memory The day when we drew A place that we knew And all the colours met They ran down the page They dried and they faded away Just a memory I only remember the things That really matter to me And good things happen to me all the time… I’m reminded of you, remembering me Two names in a place we knew We were leaving behind I press for a space To find and replace Thoughts that are gathering Into my mass To hide at the back of my mind Just a memory I was leaving behind... Just a memory When feeling the heat We try to delete All of the time we had These bridges we burn Prevent us from turning around I only remember the things That really matter to me And good things happen to me all the time… I’m reminded of you, remembering me Two names in a place we knew We were leaving behind Just a memory
3.
Pick your spot Let the light shine down Let the light shine down From the top of a mountain Gentle soul Now you’re in my hands Now you’re in my hands Till your mind starts to wonder… If I could be forgiven I could be forgotten I could be the one who remembers your name There could be a heaven But it may be hidden To those who have broken a heart For the hope of a chance at tomorrow It’s your time When the river flows And the cold wind blows It will call with a whisper I could be forgiven (Try harder…) I could be forgotten (Try harder…) I could be the one who remembers your name (Try harder now…) There could be a heaven (Try harder…) But it may be hidden (Try harder now…) To those who have broken a heart In the hope of a path to tomorrow They have stepped on my toes And they’ve stolen from those who have borrowed We can rise If we stand in light If we stand in light But we hide in the shadows Where we stop and we ponder… If I could be forgiven I could be forgotten I could be the one who remembers your name There could be a heaven But it may be hidden To those who have broken a heart For the hope of a chance at tomorrow I could be forgiven (Try harder…) But that wouldn’t happen (Try harder now…) With those who have broken a heart In the hope of a path to tomorrow
4.
Took a ride in a hot air balloon I flew straight up I came back down And I landed in a different place This world moves on “Can’t you see all the damage we’ve done?” I heard her say I must agree Things were better in the golden age This world moves on I’m sick and tired of repeating myself My words just fall upon deaf ears These are the days of the unafraid This world moves on This world moves on
5.
All of the Above: I guess it’s time we begin Taking chances again I’ll meet you by the south side of the lake But now I’m barely awake On an island of clouds Dreaming of the place that we both knew Before we ran away with each other I think it was summer I’m standing under the light As it shines on us all So I can be forgiven for my sins I took a hit to the chin But I’ll fight till the end Even if the world is moving on And I am standing still But I can handle it I’ve worked hard for this And I was born to prove them wrong We’ve been travelling towards the Summerland Preparing for another day Now it’s over I wish we were closer Then we could have been wiser So if you gave me a choice Between freedom and love I think I’d pick all of the above All of the above (All of the above) All of the above (All of the above) All of the above I think I’d pick all of the above The Unsung Hero (Hidden Track): Don’t you know- You saved me that night? Then you carried me home Way back when- Your name was unknown to me And you gave me your life Then again… When someone believes in you You may say that it’s only words But has it occurred to you- That you never get the credit you deserve? Don’t you know- My hero’s unsung? Now I know- You’ll save me again If I put a foot wrong When I’m lost- You’ll sing out your song for me Just to tell me you’re there That’s because… When someone’s inspired by you It may seem like it’s all a blur But I hope that you’re learning who you can trust When flying with the birds And has it occurred to you- That you just don’t get the credit you deserve? Now you’re on the tip of my tongue But my hero’s still unsung

about

S J Denney is an Essex-based singer-songwriter. He performs folk music with an indie edge. An Island of Clouds EP is his 2020 release...

This collection of songs builds upon the Forgotten Friends EP. The ideas keep flowing and every track offers something new. With this record, the main shift is the introduction of bouzouki and piano driven songs.

Beginnings opens the EP, boasting layer upon layer of harmony. It’s a bold statement, with a vocal-only arrangement. This track serves as a beautiful introduction to a wonderfully crafted record.

The pace is lifted with the folky A Place We Knew. Here the trademark acoustic guitar is replaced with a bouzouki. There’s a subtle ambience to this track and the wordplay is a delight. At various points the chord progression catches the listener off guard, ensuring they’re always paying attention.

Next up is Stand in Light/I Could Be Forgiven (You Decide). The guitar hooks offer the ultimate ear candy. Especially when combined with one of Denney’s best vocal performances to date. To top things off, the harmonium is a welcome addition to the melting pot.

This World Moves On slows the mood. S J rarely uses the piano as his weapon of choice, but when he does the results are stunning. The lyric is inspired by Greta Thunberg, providing stark imagery of the global challenges unfolding before our eyes.

The EP concludes with the upbeat All of the Above. Not only is the title the perfect way to round off the release, but the lyric also references all of the tracks that came before. If that wasn’t enough, a brilliant brass section comes to play and the coda is to die for.

credits

released August 28, 2020

All songs written by S J Denney
All songs arranged by S J Denney & Mat Leppanen
Produced, engineered & mixed by Mat Leppanen at The Animal Farm
Mastered by Nigel Palmer at Lowland Masters

S J Denney - Vocals, backing vocals, gazouki, acoustic guitar, piano, clarinet & percussion
Mat Leppanen - Piano, organ, bass guitar, drums & percussion
Ville Leppanen - Backing vocals, electric guitar & resonator guitar
Gergő Bille - Flugelhorn & muted trumpet
Roisin O'Hagan - Backing vocals
Jon Whitley - Harmonium
Louise Dearsley - Cello

Concept & design by Alex Hutchinson & S J Denney
Cover image by Alex Hutchinson

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S J Denney Benfleet, UK

S J Denney is an Essex-based singer-songwriter.  He performs folk music with an indie edge.

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