Chordblossom
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
Chordblossom
No Result
View All Result

Stream: Travi the Native – Still Hurting

Benji Connell by Benji Connell
July 14, 2020
in Fresh Northern Irish Music
Travis is a Tourist / Travi the Native

Puzzlement, unreliability, melodrama; wrapped up in an increasingly common cardinal sin – the blissful ignorance of taking a loved one for granted – are just a few of the emotions seemingly packed away into new single, ‘Still Hurting’ by Belfast man, Travi The Native. This is a break up song. 

Nevertheless, sonically we are treated to an alarming poppy twist on an old trope, disarming in its confidence. Always dressed to kill, Travis Gilbert has boldly set out on his own journey, taking up arms and quashing virulent manliness across the board, with his soulful and polished arrangements. Wearing his heart on his eccentrically manicured sleeve, Travi’s new alter ego, the aforementioned Native – takes us on another journey of heartbreak, blame, anger, self righteousness before inevitably locating his inner zen. 

‘Still Hurting’, at first glance could come across as just another song were boy meets girl, girl cries, boy cries too, boy sees ghosts and eventually contemplates killing himself to end the ghosts. Or something similarly as typical and dramatically emotional. Yet it is a glitch in it’s own matrix. Soul is the key here. Pop is the saviour. 

With its upbeat tones, the track quickly dispels any lyrical bleakness within this new musical concoction, by proving that despair is not what ‘Still Hurting’ seeks to breed. 

Swirling between the words describing the sad arrogance of a lover leaving a lover in the lurch, the song pulsates, grooves, experiments and eventually soars. While the song sounds retro in a number of places, especially when the brilliant sax solo kicks in towards the latter half, it still shines with a stylish modern sheen that manages to accompany the subject matter perfectly. Every compositional decision, throughout this relatively brief affair is carefully deliberate and thematically on point. Yes it’s radio friendly – but that undercurrent of darkness offers up enough bite to separate Mr. Gilbert from many of his peers leaning on the ideal of being part of a new wave of 80’s synth – pop bands – most of them wannabes – but not Travi.

Whilst influences can be picked out – a touch of Tears For Fears, a pinch of The Smiths and a helping of David Byrne, this is a track that is distinctly its own, in no small part a result of it’s energetic and deeply committed creator. Vocally, Travi sounds great, lighting up each time the inspired chorus hits home. The accompanying lyric video does well to take the listener through the narrative low points of a breakup, as the viewer gazes out car windows in tandem to the uplifting music. 

‘Still Hurting’ is a gorgeous song, filled to the brim with a captivating sense of pop grandeur that not only captures the imagination but the spirit and soul too. It’s custom built for an arena, whilst still feeling hauntingly intimate and poetically vulnerable. Anticipation is mounting for the release of Travi’s debut EP. With this latest single in mind, there’s a lot to look forward to in the back half of 2020 for connoisseurs of the local music scene.

Leave a Comment ⁞

Tags: Travi the Native
ShareTweetShareShareSendSend
Previous Post

Gender disparity in Irish radio

Next Post

Ciaran Lavery – Plz Stay, bb

Related Posts

Northern Irish Songs of the Year 2020
Blogs

Northern Irish Songs of the Year 2020: 25 – 1

January 5, 2021
Travi the Native
Blogs

Influences Mixtape: Travi the Native

September 23, 2020

Recent Posts

Sam Wickens - Photo by DanDanDann Productions

Sam Wickens – Watson

March 4, 2021
Best of Irish – December

Denise Chaila wins Choice Music Prize

March 4, 2021
Best of Irish – February

Best of Irish – February

March 2, 2021

Twitter

Instagram

Follow

  • Congratulations to @choiceprize album of the year winner @denisechaila. Chaila with her debut Go Bravely is a deserved winner amongst some great Irish albums.
  • Jump into spring with our latest Fresh Music from NI playlist featuring @spireview_music, @bigdaisyband, @amerikmusic, @benjaminhamilton_, @__h__m__g__, @rebekahfitch, @kippysmuse & lots more.

Cover pic: @dani_larkin_ 

Link in bio

Spotify Playlist

Fresh Music From Northern Ireland

Mailing List

  • About Chordblossom
  • Kickstart
  • Music Reviews
  • Live Reviews
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Photos
  • Fresh Music From Northern Ireland Playlist
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • Mailing List

© 2020 Chordblossom

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies

© 2020 Chordblossom

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT