Will songwriters ever be able to resist the lure of the bad guy, the wolf, the Mr Wrong? Whether it’s Shirley Bassey wailing about Goldfinger or Taylor Swift’s latest kiss-off, those shady heartbreaking men provide rich artistic fodder. And here, Forgotten Garden offer their own take with the bluntly named ‘Bad Guy’, albeit with a gentler mood than you might expect.
Forgotten Garden – Bad Guy
Forgotten Garden are an indie band based in Scotland, with a core duo of guitarist Danny Elliott and vocalist Inês Rebelo, plus other more transient guest members. Starting in 2019, they’ve had a little time to build their act, releasing an EP and a handful of singles.
‘Bad Guy’ is a lush, flowing indie ode to a no-good man, delivered with an interesting bystander detachment by the band.
There’s a childlike simplicity to the lyrics – “He’s a bad bad bad guy, he’ll take all your dreams from you just to make himself feel good” – delivered with a sweet up-close breathiness by Rebelo. I was most struck by the contrast between the darkness of the subject matter and the apparent sweetness of the track delivering it.
With a mellow picked guitar-riff, dreamy vocal harmonies, and shimmering percussion, the band creates a hypnotic groove, alongside Elliott’s smooth production. Fans of classic older indie bands such as The Cure, REM, and The Cardigans may find lots to enjoy here. It’s a highly listenable offering to let wash over you on an evening, so why not give Forgotten Garden a listen?
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Words Eden Tredwell
