Get moving to the new single from Australian singer Shannon Smith. ‘Dance the Night Away’ will have you doing just that. It’s an infectiously catchy song with a fabulous groove underpinned by pulsing, tuneful bass. Smith’s vocal is immediately engaging, full of character and melody flowing over instrumental layers that give ‘Dance the Night Away’ a full sound. The good-humoured song and video are like a toast to the relationship Smith has with his partner Helen Townsend, also a performer. ‘Dance the Night Away’ manages to mirror the happiness, energy and heady giddiness of new love. This is actually the second part of a series of music videos created and released in turn by the couple, telling the story of their relationship from the first flush of love through heartache and reflection and back to love again.
The accompanying video is an absolute delight. Superbly choreographed and directed by Reilly Stewart and Dan Wilson, it makes brilliant use of extras, props and movement to convey the narrative of Smith’s romance with Townsend. It’s hard not to smile along and to share in the joy of their love for one another as they dance together. There’s a particularly charming moment just over halfway through when much of the instrumentation quietens and a sax solo is the cue for all the extras to join in the dancing. It looks like everyone involved had a wonderful time creating the video and that feeling is transmitted effectively to we viewers throughout.
This is uplifting stuff – a welcome dose of positivity. Look out for the debut album, ‘Out of the Shadows’, which was recorded in sessions in Fremantle and Nashville. Smith’s debut collection,coming soon, delivers tales of love and life. In the meantime, enjoy ‘Dance the Night Away’ and get moving.
