review by emma schoors
interview by cami liberty
photo courtesy of nathan day
“You’re only happy ‘cause you’re losing control.”
Confrontational yet fluid lyrics like these are a glimpse of what make “Fade Like You” by English singer, songwriter, and producer Nathan Day so utterly captivating.
There are a plethora of recognizable genres and musical eras in “Fade Like You”: gritty 90’s grunge-esque vocals in the verses, beautifully placed upon gripping 2010’s alt-pop guitars. As the chorus breaks, these vocals become echoey and ghost-like. “I will fade like you,” Day serenades, a fitting lyric for such a dreamy sequence.
The chorus doesn’t fade, though: it resolves abruptly, with a punchy bass line and piercing drums to break its fall. “I hate repeating things to make sure what I say was heard,” Day repeats. In a sort of breaking of the fourth wall, this clever line makes the song all the more direct.
The second verse feels heavier and deeper than the first, which helps build the song’s momentum as it travels to the unforgettable chorus again. It doesn’t feel redundant the second time around; each and every nuance in the instruments helps gorgeously differentiate the first from the second half of the tune. Listeners are left having listened to not only an excellently constructed song musically, but also meaningful and hard-hitting lyrics.
“Fade Like You” is a stellar single, and Nathan Day’s talent and passion shines beautifully through it all.
We spoke with Nathan to learn more about the song, as well as the brand new music video!
What do you recall as the first memory you had when you realized you wanted to be a musician?
Nathan: “I remember messing around on an acoustic guitar when I was about eight and I was convinced I’d just played ‘Joy to the world, the teacher is dead’ by Nelson from that episode of The Simpsons. And I was genuinely struck because it made me realize you can think of things and then make them in music form.
As a side note I went to a free acoustic guitar lesson at school around the same time and I got told not to come back for having too many random things stuck inside the guitar because it was taking 45 years to remove everything.”
For those who have not heard your music yet, how would you describe it to them?
N: “I would describe my music as exactly how I look. A little bit ropey.”
You recently released your latest single “Fade Like You.” Can you tell us a bit about the song and how it came about?
N: “I wrote it while I was basically legally squatting in London. The ceiling was coming in, no hot water, everything was falling apart and it summed up my life. I was getting evicted and couldn’t afford rent or work out what to do. It had just gotten to a turning point where I truly and finally didn’t know what to do. So that song folded out in that situation urgently. I borrowed an electric guitar and recorded it all there.”
You just released the video for “Fade Like You” as well! What was it like working on the video and how did you ensure it would really make the song come to life?
N: “For some reason whenever I play my songs I just see the music video for it. So I guess I’m just trying to make what’s in my head end up on the screen as close as possible. Making it come to life is one of the best feelings in the world because you’re seeing something in front of you that used to only exist in your head, which is extremely satisfying and I don’t know why.
I’m not walking around with a directors board and a megaphone or anything, I’m literally just going off the only thing I have — the video playing in my head.
I think the little details are really important. Even if it’s ‘WE NEED A SEA GULL’ and everyone hates you. Because at the end of the day, simple is part of the detail. It doesn’t have to be extreme to be right.”
We heard later this spring you will be releasing your debut solo EP. What can we expect from this body of work?
N: “I wrote all of those songs in the same week, during that episode of ‘How Not To Live In London.’ There were so many things happening, ending and changing that I’ll always remember. So I’m glad there’s an actual time capsule of that moment.
I just thought, ‘I’m just gonna write and record six songs right now,’ and probably slept twice between that thought and when it was done. Saved all the files, then started planning where I could go.”