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Life Is A Mess off Four Lions album Wide Awake
On their new single Life Is A Mess, Bendigo rockers Four Lions have crafted a shimmering, summery, pop-flecked earworm amidst an album packed with stadium-styled anthems.
And the track’s secret weapon is talented Melbourne singer-songwriter Katie Bates, who lends her voice to several songs on Wide Awake.
Frontman Shann Lions is a fan of incorporating female vocals into his songs. “It adds a sweetness to the songs, and differentiates it from being ‘balls-to-the-wall’ rock all the time,” Lions says.
“Some of those songs (on the album Wide Awake) that have the backing vocals are very pop, and it adds a point of difference.”
Lead guitarist Keith MacQueen agrees: “You can add some colour with a female voice; there’s a different approach that comes with that.”
Life Is A Mess will be released digitally on Thursday, February 24, on the band’s own label Verse Chorus Verse.
lyrics
Life Is A Mess
When you lose something means you don’t need it any more
So you’re not running beside me in Sandringham no more
You were once laughing to all those words that I had said
Choking on memories, an ice cream drips to its death
When I’m writing these sad songs, some pass through
Some seem to stick around
I’ve come to this realisation that I’m not staying
There’s one thing that I’m saying
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, life is a mess
When you lose something means you don’t need it any more
So you’re not running beside me in Sandringham no more,
You were once laughing to all those words that I had said
Choking on memories, an ice cream drips to its death
When I’m writing these sad songs
Some seem to pass through, some seem to stick around
I’ve come to this realisation that I’m not staying
There’s one thing that I’m saying
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, failing at best
Life is a mess, life is a mess
credits
released February 23, 2022
Life Is A Mess
Produced By Shann Lions, Keith MacQueen, Finn Keane
Recorded By Finn Keane At Head Gap
Mixed By Bohdan Dower At Bulb Audio
Mastered By Ludwing Diaz At US Mastering
Lyrics and Music Written By Shann Lions (Control)
Keith MacQueen: Lead, rhythm, 12-string guitars/ hand claps/ backing vocals
Gavan Moncrieff: Drums/ tambourine/ sleigh bells/ hand claps
Bradley Bradford: Bass
Stephen Briggs: Organ, piano
Shann Lions: Lead, backing vocals/ rhythm, acoustic guitar/ hand claps
Katie Bates: Backing vocals
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