Lydia Persaud: Good For Us
A mellow retro soul cut featuring expressive vocals and crisp instrumentation.
By Kerry Doole
Lydia Persaud: Good For Us (Next Door Records): This Toronto-based singer/songwriter has just announced that her second solo album, Moody31, is coming out on April 29, preceded by this first advance single and video.
In a label press release, Persaud explains that "Good For Us is a track I wrote. The funny thing about bad communication when you’re away from home is, you can decide to sit by the phone or be present and go outside. The song definitely captures the moment of deciding to go outside and recognizes that space was what we both needed at the time. Somewhere along the way Good For Us became a celebratory anthem outlining the importance of space and self-reflection in order to make room for clarity."
Discussing the video, Persaud notes that “my art director, Josh Rille, and I wanted to keep things minimal and cute for Good For Us, filming everything on iPhones while giving the Super 8 film feel."
The mellow tune has a retro soul/R&B feel that neatly showcases Persaud's expressive vocals (Roberta Flack is one suggested reference point). Produced by Scott McCannell ( Safe Spaceship Music), the track features Toronto guitar ace Christine Bougie and the playing and production is top-notch.
The stylistically versatile Persaud has made a mark in her solo jazz project, soul combo The Soul Motivators, folk group The O'Pears, and popular rock covers band, Dwayne Gretzky. She’s also a member of the Queer Songbook Orchestra, and host of the upcoming docuseries, New World Beat.
She explains that "After ten years of playing music, I’m beginning to bring my multiple experiences into what I’m doing. I make music to honestly connect with others who might feel the same way." One to watch.
Links
PR: Ken Beattie, Killbeat
Stephen Macklam (left) and Sam Feldman.Courtesy Photos