Fall in Love with Foley’s Heartstrings

I was reminded today that Valentine’s Day is only a couple of weeks away. Sure it’s a Hallmark holiday, but any occasion that celebrates love in all its forms isn’t a bad thing in my books. So in that spirit I thought I’d bring you a feel-good pop song this morning. Foley’s “Heartstrings” is an ultra-sweet bop bound to lift you up, whether you’ve got someone special in your life or not!

“‘Heartstrings’ comes from the giddiness of a new flame/lover, wanting to reach and aspire to their perceived greatness even if you’re being a bit blinded by rose-tinted glasses,” Foley said. “The fine line between love and obsession; having an admiration for someone that makes them addictive to you. Hypnotising and stupidly entrancing, you realise that the thought of this person is so powerful to you it’s tearing you apart.”

Now based in Eora/Sydney, Foley wrote the song on a writing getaway back across the ditch.

“We wanted to get out of the city, so brought all our gear over to Auckland’s Waiheke Island for the weekend, and let the location be the extra member of the band – writing freely, letting our moods and the stunning weather dictate the direction of the production and songwriting,” they said. “All four of us connected on some shared experiences of silly, almost risky attraction – where you’re so enamoured with another person that you’ll do anything to gain their favour, even if they’re not super into you! The pulsing synths got us thinking of old ‘80s exercise videos, so there’s some cheeky references to that in the lyrics – and you can really hear the sunshine and infectious energy that was bubbling away in the room that day.”

“Heartstrings” comes from Foley’s forthcoming sophomore album That’s Life, Baby! which they’ll release on February 28. For now you can hear it on my playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop.

Photo credit: Frances Carter

Foley Bring the Fun With “Time Of My Life”

Originally from Aotearoa/New Zealand, indie-pop Foley are now based in Australia and bringing plenty of sunshine to break through the gloom with their latest single “Time Of My Life.” It’s such a catchy, feel-good track I’m sure you’ll be grinning ear-to-ear by the time the first chorus kicks in.

“We are so confident now in what Foley’s sound is after releasing our first album … ‘Time Of My Life’ is a pivotal part of that because it’s so joyous, so unapologetic, and so genuinely aspirational,” the twosome explained. “The song starts from a place of wanting more for yourself that the mundane day to day life you are living. It’s truly born from ambition and dreaming of a ferociously chaotic and AWAKE life.

“We wanted to lean into a feeling of need and desperation for some excitement – which led to a lot of quite dramatic lyrics like, ‘At the end of the night, I kind of feel like I’m dying,’ talking about being stuck in your hometown at the same old party with the same old people, being pleasant to everyone but inside absolutely screaming to leave.

“The song is a craving for new memories, new stories, and letting yourself be free to make mistakes and learn from them. The production is just as chaotic and loose as the song’s meaning which was such a pleasure to work on. Josh Naley, our wonderful producer, absolutely let it rip and made the song such a joy to listen to and play because it feels so free.”

I hear there’s plenty more new music on the way, so it’s time to jump on the Foley train!

Photo credit: Jared Tinetti