Culture Revival

Imogen Heap’s single release First Train Home comes in two very unique versions. The first version and the first song on the single is a fast moving, hip, dance song with funky synthesised beats. The second version of the song is a slower, more measured tune, accompanied with simple piano and fewer synthesised effects.

Imogen’s lyrics are touching and intimate. She sings, “The urge to feel your face, and blood rushing to paint, my handprint.” The beauty of her voice coupled with the simple, but very poetic lyrics, result in incredibly groovy, commercially appealing but also very personal songs about disillusionment with shallow partying. According to Heap, First Train Home was written the moment she returned home at 8am from a party in Brighton admitting that her “heart just wasn’t in” the night. Her chorus mantra, “First train home – I’ve got to get on,” sums up the jist of the brief, lyrical songs.

Her opening lines, “Bodies disengaged / Our mouths are fleshing over / As hiss and echo gain / Irises retreating to ovals of white” are so simple, but very beautiful. Heap’s main strength is definitively as a lyricist.

The close of both versions is anti-climactic and sounds quite produced. Heap should have stuck with a more organic fade out.

Also, the video produced for the single is too self-conscious and distracts from the originality of the song. Heap is uncomfortable and not relaxed enough in the video to sell herself visually to us. It is kind of funny that Heap chose such a commercial and badly produced video for such an anti-materialist song. Nonetheless, bad video choice aside, the two versions of this really original song are definitely worth a listen. Heap is a kooky, personable artist who I will listen out for more in the future.

http://www.imogenheap.com/