“Plugged In” is a catching debut single from sad films, the project of Dan Lucas. The Salford, UK-based artist conjures a stream-of-conscious feeling vocal delivery alongside a thumping bass drive and melodic guitar work, following up the debonair tone with a “one who got away,” hint of longing. The effort is aptly described as “essentially the untamed inner monologue of an unchecked ego,” with the lines like “too plugged in, echo chamber,” into “center of attention,” expanses furthering an emphasis on how technology influences human interactions.
The two-minute turn sees a bass-fronted break, followed by a conversational vocal sample and hazy hints of guitars; these excel into prickly jangles and a vocal re-emergence, traversing with palpable momentum past the three-minute turn. “Plugged In” is a climactic rock success from sad films, who certainly succeed on this smashing debut.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2023’ Spotify playlist.
