“To be Tiktok famous, something but broke” sings Lucy Deakin on her new single ‘2009’. The Manchester singer-songwriter’s 4,200 TikTok follower count suggest she may have some way to go to achieve that ambition. However, music stardom may not be far away as Deakin gets ready to release her second EP, in your head i’m probably crying on 5 November on the back of praise from industry tastemakers for her 2020 debut EP i got bored. The Mancunian made NME’s 100 tips list and has been championed by BBC Introducing’s Rob Adcock. With three singles already released from the new EP, does ‘2009’ help define the Deakin sound?
With the singer citing Dua Lipa, Charli XCX and Miley Cyrus among her influences, there is little surprise that ‘2009’ is a pop banger! As you would expect with a title like ‘2009’, the song has a pop-nostalgia vibe that sets it aside from the more future-pop sound of recent singles ‘acting like you’re famous’ and ‘how to lose a guy’. Unlike the disco-inspired Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa, or the recent disco-rock from Miley Cyrus the track takes a safer pure-pop path. However, Deakin and her writing collaborator, Josh Noble from Larkins, cleverly infuse the track with an anthemic chorus. With a subtle electronic guitar and a beat that simulates a steady hand-clap, you can almost picture the arms aloft a la ‘Radio Gaga’ as the single is played live. The song also channels the fun of Busted’s ‘Year 3000’ in the musical structure.
‘2009’ may not define the Deakin sound but it does highlight her versatility. After the gentle acoustic musings of ‘i don’t even miss you’, the track gives the singer further opportunity to play with music styles and vocal range. At times during the chorus, Deakin sounds uncannily like her idol, Cyrus.
READ MORE: Review: be alright // Lucy Deakin
The single and the forthcoming EP serve an important purpose. Deakin lays down more markers that point to her carving out a musical career that will mean she will be far more than TikTok famous.
Words by Andrew Butcher
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