Tuesday Tunes

I’m an expert at playing ‘the dance floor is lava’. Since I was a kid, or maybe a little older than that, it’s been one of my most prominent games. For one reason or another, the feeling of joy and exuberance experienced by others who regularly ‘cut shapes’ have been replaced for me with feelings of unease and despair. People who dance socially and I view each other as if we’ve grown extra heads. So it’s rare that I would find a song that makes me wanna dance …

The Song(s)
Song: Make a New Dance Up
Artist: Hey Ocean!
Album: IS - 2012 - Hey Ocean Music P&D
Method of discovery: Daily Mix

Theory: Less is more, is a common saying in music, and this song makes do with three chords only. It’s a I-IV-ii pattern that reverses the second and third chords when it comes to the end of the pre-chorus. But the song’s momentum is achieved through instrumentation: dropping instruments in and out. We start with the typical rock format: Drums, Bass, and two Guitars. when the vocals come in the guitars leave, and a shaker enters in the second part of the verse to keep it interesting, but unimposing. One Guitar Returns, and brings some light vocal support and I believe a synth arpeggio. Brass helps to punctuate the chorus. No instrument plays during the whole song, and each is only playing where it belongs. Less is more. Although the Bassist is clearly having fun.

Research: ‘Hey Ocean!’ are another Canadian band, likely recommended to me through Spotify’s algorithm due to my interest in stage-mates ‘Mother Mother’ and ‘Said The Whale’. Although their website claims they are returned from a three year hiatus (seemingly between ‘IS’ and 2018’s ‘The Hurt of Happiness’), there are no tour dates, and the last update of the ‘What’s New?’ section is from late 2018. Perhaps vocalist Ashleigh Ball is being kept busy with her voice-over work, having provided voices for more than 20 animated works since the mid 2000’s. She’s most well known for her work in the My Little Pony franchise, and even featured in a documentary about the adult fans of the series: Bronies. Link below.

Personal thoughts: Because of how I feel while on the dance floor the desire to dance in public is rare. I will move about when I'm cooking, or when I've been on stage in plays. But the feeling the song talks about is one I'm more familiar with. The hesitance of any new relationship when previous outings have ended in emotional injury, familiar. The vulnerable optimism, an enthralling 'call of the void' when you're about to leap into another's arms, familiar. The joy at being caught when you jump, and the way it manifests in performing like you've never done so before, like wanting to make a new dance up, happily familiar. It's not everyday I feel like dancing, but this song certainly gets me more in the mood.

Give it a go: If you wan’t to make a new dance up
Give it a miss: If you want to keep on playing ‘the dance floor is lava’

[links]
Spotify: Tuesday Tunes, Make a New Dance Up by Hey Ocean!
Hey Ocean: Website, Make a New Dance Up on YouTube
Wikipedia: Hey Ocean!, Ashleigh Ball
Other: A Brony Tale on IMDb