Derek Darker - Numb

Download Numb here

It's been quite the musical journey for Derek Darker - from Prince & Rogues boy band through to evocative solo artist it's been intriguing to watch his growth as an artist and craftsman of elegant pop music. This is evidenced via his current single Numb (lyric video above). Taken from an EP of equally honest and organic tunes (Conversations with Rose - iTunes link above), it's a breathtaking examination of the fragility of relationships and the emotions involved when they break down. This isn't new ground in pop music but it's such a personal and intimate introspection by Derek that when the music plays the rest of the world fades away as the listener imprints their own experiences onto the song. And that's what makes good music - the songs that endure through the ages because they become inextricably linked to the moments in our lives that they soundtrack. Numb is one such song - partially because of that glorious stripped back setting where intricate piano dances around Derek's soulful and impassioned vocals, like delicate snowflakes floating in the winter chill; and partially because the lyrics are so heartfelt that it's like peeking into Derek's secret diary full of his innermost feelings and regrets. He infuses every ounce of the song with a tangible melancholy and wistful yearning that gives the song a haunting elegiac quality that stays with you long after the music has finished. It's refreshing to have a song presented in a piano and vocal only arrangement - Derek certainly thrives in pouring the emotion into the song and driving the melody forward whilst the piano effortlessly adds to the narrative. In a chart filled with faceless beats and a heavy reliance on EDM trends, Derek stands out by letting you into his world. Based on Numb and Conversations with Rose, it's a world more and more people are going to want to inhabit. Just lovely.

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Erasure, Elevation
20 ~ Erasure, Reason (NE)
19 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Deer & The Hound
18 ~ Auryn, Puppeteer
17 ~ Bleachers, Rollercoaster
16 ~ Satin Circus, Dreamgirl
15 ~ Betty Who, Glory Days (NE)
14 ~ Jason Mraz, Hello You Beautiful Thing
13 ~ Taylor Swift, Shake It Off
12 ~ Mary Lambert, Secrets
11 ~ Walk The Moon, Shut Up And Dance
10 ~ Take That, These Days
09 ~ Bright Light x2, Lust For Life
08 ~ Marit Larsen, I Don't Want To Talk About It
07 ~ One Direction, Steal My Girl
06 ~ GRL, Ugly Heart
05 ~ Kylie, Kiss Me Once
04 ~ Olly Murs, Wrapped Up
03 ~ McBusted, Air Guitar
02 ~ Maroon 5, Animals
01 ~ Auryn, Pillow Talk (3 weeks)