With their latest single “Private Hell,” Irish rockers Good Strangers deliver a rousing depiction of a previous relationship’s enduring impact. Previous single “Egyptian Summer” depicted “the beginning of the end,” and this follow-up captures the definitive impacts following the actual break-up — inspired by the personal experiences of lead singer Conor Quinn, and the mental health struggles they experienced following the relationship.
“I wanted to write an anti-breakup song, if you will,” Quinn explains. “I’ve always had a soft spot for clichés, and coincidentally, I was going through a tough breakup myself at the time.” The track’s creative process began as a wholly melancholic endeavor. The addition of a funk-minded bass line brought some vibrancy to the mix, one that — per Quinn — “ignited a groove that we all fell in love with.”
“Private Hell” ultimately pursues a more tactful perspective of an ended relationship, wishing their former partner well. Acknowledgements like “I was a twisted scary freak show,” and “I really fucked up,” depart from the cliched “woe is me,” perspectives apparent in other break-up tracks. Brassy additions alongside trickling guitars and multi-vocal enthusiasm combine for a spirited, hooky bounce throughout. The “I don’t trust myself,” rise invigorates, stirring as this engaging track’s replay-inducing center.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
