I do enjoy getting a Blake single to review. This artist is a thoughtful and inventive lyricist, driving a narrative that allows one to open up one’s own inner voice to a subconscious chat with itself about what one has just listened to. By this I mean Blake gets you thinking and her lyrics have several possible interpretations external to the actual subject in the crosshairs of her own muse.

Sex Dreams is a nicely light, whimsically orchestrated and composed single, with a much more complex set of questions behind it. Recorded and engineered by the lady herself alongside highly regarded and well-known Kiwi engineer Simon Gooding, it’s got a groovy little pop blend of guitars and keys, some crunchy percussion and a gentle bottom end that adds to the whimsical vibe of the overall presentation.

As always, the vocal performance is a real stand-out. We’ve been treated to the lady’s ability to hit mezzo before now, but this single is pure soprano. Blake can add a tonal sauciness that gives it the playful edge the title would imply, and she does so with aplomb. The melody is exceptionally catchy, and the chorus is cheeky and fun. We’ve got a very smart approach to the chord structure in that it’s not cluttered, allowing a vocal extrapolation that sits easily and allows the singer to drive the melody, not the composition drive the singer. That’s good songwriting.

What did I take from the meaning to the lyrics? I took it to be a questioning dive into one’s external veneer and how our surroundings – and the personalities that populate it – can draw reactions from our subconscious that can surprise even ourselves. Then what do we do about it? Do we retain the veneer? Do we do anything different?… or just carry on as always?…

Just my own take.

It’s out on the 18th July – tomorrow, as I type this. As I said, I really enjoy reviewing Blake singles because she’s an intelligent musician and composer with a powerful gift for exploring and verbalising her own inner voice, presenting it in a way that gets you recognising yourself a lot. Very relatable, and maintaining an outrageously clever ear for the commercially viable side of the biz.

Please do grab it on the platform of your choice as of release. This is fun, saucy, sassy, and well delivered as always. It’s a shoo-in for commercial radio airplay, and you can enjoy this in any number of settings – just not at afternoon tea ’round Grandma’s!