Track Of The Day: Elephant – 'Nova Scotia'

Elephant, the musical project of Dundalk-based multi-instrumentalist Shane Clarke, has returned with the second single from their upcoming album, ‘Nova Scotia’.

Clark has once again teamed up with long-time collaborator and producer, Joseph Edwards. Featuring the impressive rhythm section from the Belfast-based Robocobra Quartet, the song echoes the 80s influence from Elephant's previous LP, 88.

'Nova Scotia' is a song built in layers: percussion is the only constant – driving the song forward, smooth synth lines, jazzy flourishes on keys, interesting bass lines, and philosophical lyrics come afterwards, winding meandering melodies throughout.

Lyrically, the song is a brag. Clarke shouts "I've got money now!" and we think we're in the clear. Of course, all is not as it seems, ominous lyrics like "take apart everything to make it work" and "the future's approaching, but it's in slow motion" signal that there's something wrong here. And, of course, it turns out that all this bragging is rooted in debilitating insecurity, and this song is about meeting someone from your past and trying to convince them your life has turned out to be amazing.

Clarke explains: "I was thinking a lot about the people from my past. Friends I’d not seen in years, people I never got on with, old flings, ex-loves, teachers, relations... all these people who, if put in the position, would probably all ask the same question. Are you still at the music? Yes. No it doesn't pay the bills. Because it makes me happy. It doesn’t have to make sense. You don’t need to 'get it'. Worried about what? I’m not mad, I’m just hungry."

Combining modern hip-hop inspired hard edits and production style with nods to EELS & Frank Ocean, 'Nova Scotia' shows Elephant as a songwriting force to be reckoned with. Fans can look forward to more exciting releases from Elephant, who is working on their third album, coming out via Pizza Pizza Records.

Listen to 'Nova Scotia' below.