British Singer North Channels Blues-Rock in Blazing Debut

U.K. artist North has unleashed her brand new single “Breaking Me Down.” Heavily influenced by rock and blues, the track pulses with searing guitar lines and heavy bass, elevating North’s raw, powerful vocals.

The song pays homage to the timeless 12-bar blues structure while also drawing from more contemporary updates on the sound. Co-writer Dan Baune of the band Monument assists North in forging a down and dirty slow burner with an unmistakably classic feel. The Animals-esque intro sets up a fiery entrance by North, whose soulful, passionate delivery evokes the likes of Janis Joplin. These more traditional elements are offset by an ethereal bridge, in which a flurry of stunning backing vocals and guitars climax into the song’s laid-back final chorus. Producer Matt Annecharico ensures the crispness of these modern rock touches, as well as coloring the song with additional organs and guitar licks. Lyrically, the song deals with entrapment – the feeling of being stuck in a downward spiral. North’s thunderous voice laments “I’m trying to be strong, but this can’t go on,” expressing resilience as much as desperation.

This mix of pain and refusal to surrender is to be expected from the songstress, who’s been through her fair share of trials and tribulations. Her stage name is a reference to the northern part of England where she grew up, “where there’s no such thing as bad weather – only inappropriate clothing!” Perhaps a fitting metaphor for North’s stance in life: she’s heavily influenced by artists such as P!nk because of “the feistiness and fearlessness they portray.” The singer displayed her own fearlessness when, after making her way to London and its grueling music industry, she was one of the victims of a highly publicized fraud case involving music management company BMU. North refused to let this negative experience slow her down, signing to Dreamscope Records shortly after – and continuing to use her music as a way to inspire herself and others to push through life’s challenges.

“Breaking Me Down” is the first single off of North’s upcoming EP, set for release later this year.

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