Ballad of the broken-hearted: SoftTop share soulful single ‘Broken Glass’
Pared-back textures and touching vocals make for a stellar piano ballad.
Photo: Alyx Ashton
Despite humbly describing their sound as “Soft Music For Soft People”, Brighton orchestral/indie group SoftTop make an intense impact with their music. Returning for their second single of the year in the shape of pared-back piano ballad Broken Glass, their music is no less powerful – even if it’s a stark contrast to February’s maximalist single Runaway.
Tearing at heartstrings with its soulful vocals and heartbroken lyricism, it seems as though lead vocalist Miles Goodall feels every word he sings on their latest single, and, for that reason, we can’t help but feel it too.
Heartbroken or not, the track dredges up old (and new) feelings of dejection and sadness. The touching piano melodies and moving string arrangements make for a teary composition as the tender ballad meditates on the pain of seeing the person you love choose someone else.
Featuring musicians and producers from beloved Brighton acts such as Hutch and Ideal Living, it’s no wonder SoftTop has crafted such an expansive sound on this dazzlingly poignant track. The sonic textures and enthralling storytelling engulf us in a cocoon of vulnerability, forcing us to confront our ultimately unavoidable emotions through genuinely affecting imagery: “Cause watching you dance with him is like dragging myself through broken glass.”
I may be a “soft person”, hyper-sensitive to life’s emotions, but I’m fairly sure Broken Glass would crack even the hardest of hearts.
Broken Glass is out now via Crafting Room Recordings.