Taken off his solo debut album, out 3 May.
Johnny Lloyd has shared the second single to arrive from his much anticipated debut solo album Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds which is released on 3 May via Xtra Mile Recordings.
Artful of arrangement, articulate in its observations and elegant in its understated delivery, Rich And Poor sees Johnny deliver a crisp and wistful cut that questions whether the rise of the machines may be putting more between humans than just a screen…
“Rich And Poor is about how we try to retain human relationships within this modern culture we live in,” says Johnny of the track.
“As technology slowly replaces human contact, how does that affect our relationships? That’s been on my mind a lot as I’ve got older. I didn’t have a phone till I was 19, now I can’t live without one…”
Simple melody and avoid of any studio clutter with the assured hand of expert producer Nathan Coen, Rich And Poor is a cathartic listening experience that pays testament to the endlessly entrancing qualities of vocal and guitar in true harmony. Adding spine-tingling backing vocal flourishes, The Maccabees’ Hugo White can be heard paying his dues here too.
Filmed in a singular take at a North London location, the accompanying video is an intimate performance of the track. Framed only by the fading light that pours in from the weak winter’s sun beyond the window, the footage captured by artist and filmmaker Tobias Ross-Southall adds an engrossing visual tailor-made for this soul-stirring new single.
Speaking about the making of the video, Johnny says: ‘It’s always amazing working with Toby. I enjoy it as much as making the records. We have been planning to do a performance video for a while and this song seemed to be the right fit.’
Sharing much of the same DNA as the previous single and album title-track Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds, here Rich And Poor offers another tangible touchstone that point to the depth, quality and maturity of songs to be found in Johnny’s essential upcoming long-player.
With the debut album set for release on 3 May 2019 on the Xtra Mile Recordings Label, and tours in the pipeline for the UK, Europe and further afield, Johnny Lloyd is back with a renewed sense of direction and a steadfast attitude that is echoed throughout his assured debut solo album.
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