“Fair Isle Automatic” is the debut single from Leveller, the project of Bristol-based artist Daniel R. Ball. A peppy bass line and sporadic guitar twangs build into a debonair vocal composure. “Strip the copper wire from my heart,” Ball lets out, evoking an angsty, heartrending sound reminiscent of The Cure. The ensuing “see what you want to see,” exclamation stirs, furthering the sense of breaking things off with a previously close individual.
Ball describes the track as “lyrically a meditation on the inner life of an automated lighthouse.” Bringing forth ample metaphorical engrossment in that theme, the track’s post-punk and rock synergy combines with dynamic vocal emotion for thorough succeeding. Pleading to “don’t just leave me in a state of disrepair,” echoes the lighthouse reference, and its possible association with a heart and emotions in disarray. I’m certainly excited to see whatever the follow-up to this debut is from Leveller.
—
This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of June 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
