Single Review - Paradise by H.U.M.A.N.

Paradise is the debut single from H.U.M.A.N. a duo from Manchester whose aim is to fuse together a mix of new wave, indie pop and rock to give a retro but still fresh sound to their performance. Relatively new on the scene, but have amassed interest already with their sneak-peaks posted online featuring a colourful retro aesthetic and building up the hype higher and more dazzling then the pyramids. The track will be our first look into whether the hype is true. Lets have a listen.

The track from the off gives you that feel-good feeling where you imagine being by the pool at a resort or by the beach. Jangly electric guitar and a very 80s-sounding drum beat and drum machine reminiscent of all those cheesy pop songs from yesteryear, welcome us to the song. Building up that retro feeling they also include ballad style backing vocals and synth. It's all put to good use and everything goes well together. Their aim to give us a good dose of the sound from that era while still making their music fresh and current, in my opinion, is a job well done.

Lyrically, it's as catchy is COVID (too soon?), where the repeating chorus line "It seems like I'm just dreaming again" will no doubt have any audience singing along with the duo through the song. The verses surrounding the chorus are equally as well-written and the singer's unique vocal style, which is unlike any other I've heard but somehow reminds me of David Bowie and Phil Collins! how does that work?

Overall, a stunning debut single from the Manchester duo. The song feels like a bow and a homage to the 80s new wave and pop classics, while still incorporating a fresh and modern feel to it all, bringing that era of music right up to date. The inclusion of the sounds that made the 80s music what it was; synth drums along with proper drums, a synth track and ballad-esque backing vocals. All in all, its a great track, one which is a strong offering from the newly formed band and one which has left me interested in seeing where they go from here.

Check out the song for yourself when they release it on 15th August 2020 on all the usual music streaming services.

In the meantime, like and follow them on their socials using the links below: