With his latest single, Mac DeMarco delivers a moving new tune. ‘Phantom’ drifts so seamlessly, almost blending into ‘Holy’ perfectly, which may indicate that the Canadian singers upcoming album will continue this mellow sound even further.
While the instrumental may not demand too much attention, its stripped-back arrangement evokes the same delicate charm of The Beatles’ ‘I Will’.
What stands out most are the tender lyrics, which linger with you even after the music fades. The subtle instrumentation leaves plenty of space for these words to take centre stage on an intimate level. Though ‘Phantom’ is quiet, it’s a track that easily grows with each listen, with the slow, sinking melodies becoming clearer with time.
The calmness of this new single feels very intentional, with its patient pacing and the vocals carrying a softness that perfectly matches the reflective production. DeMarco clearly allows the song’s gentleness to become its strength.
Of the three singles released so far, ‘Phantom’ may be the most subtle. While it might be the least immediately striking, it still holds its place within the larger sonic sound DeMarco is crafting for his seventh LP.
As part of what is one of the calmest songs from Mac in recent memory, ‘Phantom’ is proof that a simple song can be just as powerful as a complex one.
Joel Sutcliffe
Image: ‘Guitar’ Official Album Cover
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