‘Deep Sleep’ is a stunning release from Derry Songwriter/composer Comrade Hat (Neil Burns). The single is the final track from ‘Old Gods Vol 1’ album, bringing his harmonic mix of Americana and folky/indie jazz to the forefront.
In a beautiful, heartfelt track, Burns effervescent, experimental talents, married with raw, personal lyrics makes this single a poignant release from the multi-instrumentalist. With subtle nods to Ian Broudie, Villagers, Talk Talk and Paul Simon, “Deep Sleep’ follows in the footsteps of previous album singles ‘Summer of Glove,’ Whatever You Do’ and ‘Cracking the Code,’ with the writing process described by Burns as haunting him for some time, “it felt too raw for most of my other releases, but felt right here.”
A man of ridiculous talents and described as a “Shape-Shifting Polymath,” ‘Deep Sleep’ is a dreamy, gentle 4 minutes filled with vulnerability and personal truth with echoing lyrics of “For long ago/I set my mind on deep sleep/waiting for my divorce from reality to come through.” Turning his hand to many instruments on this this track, building from stripped back guitar and drum machine, building into bass, it was produced by Burns himself and is his most personal release to date.
Describing that well known turbulent exploration through life we each have explored, Burns has used music to deal with life’s questions and scenarios stating, “I have always been something of an outsider. I was an only child, a bit of a loner, unsure of myself and my sexuality. I’ve always been comfortable with solitude. I’ve never fitted neatly into a scene, musical or otherwise, so I created my own. Music has helped me come to terms with who I am, with life. A navigational tool. A better parallel universe of feeling. It’s the one place I can fully be myself I think this is the most honest record I have made.”
