‘Fight Back’ is the latest release by upcoming alt-folk artist Zara Smile. The Liverpool-based musician is making waves; the new single will feature on a Class of 2025 vinyl compilation through Next Up North, a pioneering support programme for emerging Northern artists within marginalised queer communities. ‘Fight Back’ itself is teeming with a similarly original energy, Smile forging an innovative follow up to their prior release, ‘Misplaced’. They build on the sonic foundations of previous singles, deriving hypnotic melodies and passionately resonant deliverance from a plethora of inspirations which stretch from Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell to Riot Grrrl sensations.
The track is rooted in the sensation of “just showing up and doing it scared!” Smile’s lyricism is poignant and culturally-relevant. Ruminating on the discomfort, they worry over the ever-changing, undefinable concept of ‘enough’, and why that always feels just out of reach. The song feels like an ecosystem in and of itself; progression brings layer upon layer, becoming dense and calamitous. ‘Fight Back’ is self-sustaining in delivering those sickening anxieties, sweetened by Zara Smile’s undeniable vocal talent. Even despite required harshness and ferocity in the warbling orchestral climax, there’s an identifiable pliability to the instrumentation. Those who care to are lulled into a keen awareness of Smile’s role as conductor. We’re invited into their deftly fabricated sonic theatre. They whip listeners into a restless frenzy, though it’s hard to protest – entranced by honeyed modulations and raw, emotive lilts.
‘Fight Back’ is inexplicably theatrical in its layering of instruments, each sonic arc necessary for its vivid storytelling.Smile themselves described the recording process as “a bunch of fun experimenting with time signatures’. Notes buzz and sing and while melodies soar and plateau, rhythms slow and rush. Through this act they impart a teeming excitement; the vivid intent and richness of stride is starkly rare in contemporary releases, lyric driving music driving emotion. Zara Smile’s artistic expression and intuition glow with a poignant hand, each bar a brushstroke, each scale a scripture. The subject matter transcends surface-level songwriting and composition passes to a pedestal of storytelling. ‘Fight Back’ undeniably lies amongst the legacy of artists like Black Country, New Road and the more cult conceptual works, like Sufjan Stevens’ ‘…Illinoise!’
The new release is layered, not only in instrumentation, but promise, talent, and creative care. Zara Smile instils a delight and enthusiasm through ‘Fight Back’, tangibly toeing the path of their predecessors, in the early stages of cult appreciation and acclaim.
FOLLOW ZARA SMILE ON: INSTAGRAM // TIKTOK
PREORDER NEXT UP NORTH: CLASS OF 2025 HERE
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