Beginning with a bright strum, the new single from Ren Lawton then draws the listener in with his delightfully warm, melodic vocal. As the song builds with a shuffling, foot-tapping rhythm, layers of keys and trumpets create a rich, textured sound. The video enhances the atmosphere, with the starkness of the environment allowing the real focus to remain on the lyrics and the music. Lawton sings into a swinging light bulb, the brightness of its filament contrasting with the dark surroundings, a clever visual symbol for a smartly written song.
Lawton says: “The video for ‘Today Today Tomorrow’ was recorded in my loft that I’m currently converting into a studio. It was the videographers suggestion that we record up there whilst the conversion was still in progress so we could make the most of having the exposed rafters and chimney breasts in view. The aim of the video was for it to reflect the backwards and somewhat bizarre cryptic lyrics of the song. Singing into a lightbulb with loads of paper birds around me and two shady looking blokes playing plastic trumpets in the background hopefully gives off some surreal vibes.”
‘Today today Tomorrow’ is the title track from Lawton’s full-length debut, which is due for release on 22nd February 2022. Although he originally performed under his own name, Conor Owen, he has reinvented himself and now performs under the moniker Ren Lawton. With this project, Lawton draws together a range of influences and genres and delivers personal songs in an engaging songwriting-style. His well-received 2017 EP ‘A Calling From the Shore’ featured the mesmerising, intimate single ‘Piece of Your Heart’, which has now been streamed more than a million times on Spotify. The new album is certainly one to watch out for in the new year. For now, check this out and catch Lawton on tour if you can. He’ll be playing with Sam Brookes in Newcastle tonight and you can find tickets here.
