Cork New Wave artist, Beyond the Wash has returned with a sparkling new pop track called ‘Min/us’. The single marks a significant move towards a larger palette of electronic sounds, as lockdown forced the songwriter away from the larger ensembles of his previous outing on 2019’s ‘Murmurings’ EP.
With production input from Cian Sweeney (1000 Beasts), and long-term collaborator Christian Best (Mick Flannery), the result is a focused rhythm- driven single, with trademark chimed guitars and a steely vocal atop layers of synths. R&B pop singer Meghan Murray also returns with a Wendy & Lisa-esque feature.
Known for poignant visuals, BTW accompanies the track with photographs from a private installation. These were mapped out by BTW and fellow creatives, photographer Aleksandra Schmidt and visual artist Andrea Williams, and tell the song’s story of mistaken identity, the realisation of entrapment, and the ‘mine versus us’ frame of thinking. Ultimately, the length one goes to ‘minus’ their thoughts.
Speaking on the single, the human behind Beyond the Wash, Patrick O’Donnell says -“Thematically, ‘Min/us’ reflects a mind consumed by resentment, harnessing a petty, callous and ego-driven mindset. The unflattering side of consciousness…that is most certainly there, but seldom spoken aloud – it scratches away at the darker side of thoughts … can one have too much empathy? And does this leave one stuck outside the present.”
Although it may feel like BTW is a relatively new act on the Irish scene, many highlights have already been packed into the first 2 years of the outfit’s lifespan, including the release of debut EP, ‘Murmurings’, widespread media acclaim, national radio play, a nomination for Best Irish Music Video at the London Irish Film Festival (2019), and live appearances at Ireland Music Week and Liverpool Irish Festival (2020).
The single marks the first step in the artist’s sophomore set of releases, with a follow up expected in December.
‘Min/us’ will be available on September 24th across all major streaming platforms.
