Here’s the spirited new single from London-based americana duo Roswell Road. Singer-songwriters Jasmine Watkiss and Zoë Wren tell frank, authentic stories, opening up with refreshing honesty about themselves and their everyday lives. Weirdo at the Party is a song many will associate with, and it’s delivered with a superb melody that takes unexpected turns and hangs on the singers’ lush harmonic brilliance. Their voices work together beautifully, shining vibrantly and combining in a tuneful, vocal dance. From a delicate beginning, the song rises on light instrumentation towards a bright chorus, before the percussion kicks in and it grows further on sweet, uptempo musical layers.
Directed by James Westlake alongside Roswell Road, the video finds the pair bringing some vibrant colour to a dull office party. It brings to life the song’s authentic message about being out of place, feeling uncomfortable and uncertain in a social gathering, and just wishing it would come to an end.
Jasmine explains the song’s theme with disarming honesty, the same attitude that the pair bring into their lyrics: “As I’ve got older, I’ve got more comfortable being brutally honest about myself in my songs. I used to try to cover up the fact that I’m socially anxious and worrying on the inside almost all the time. But at some point, I just thought, fuck it, I’m going to share this. I can’t be the only one feeling this way.” Indeed, many listeners will recognise those feelings of self-doubt and the fear of engaging in social situations. She continues: “I went to a really uncomfortable work party; the vibe was off, and I felt self-conscious all night, not knowing how to talk to anyone. I left early and started writing Weirdo at the Party the next day. The song is about me – I’m that weirdo at the party – but it also calls out how people trying too hard to be cool can often be aloof, closed off and tricky to talk to. It’s a fun, let-your-hair-down bop, but I hope it resonates with listeners, too. Just be yourself; maybe everyone else around you is overthinking, too.”
This is the final single from the duo’s brand new debut album, Rebel Joy, which has just been released. Roswell Road have already supported artists like John Smith and Katherine Priddy, and appeared at festivals such as Cambridge Folk Festival, Costa Festival Ibiza, Galway Folk Festival and Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Their debut EP, Remedy, was named Fatea EP of the Year, and they have won the Danny Kyle Competition at Celtic Connections. The talented Jasmine Watkiss and Zoë Wren, with their glittering, shimmering harmonies, have a bright musical future ahead thanks to the approach that Jasmine described above: the songs are fun but also resonate with listeners too. Enjoy.
