Clearly displaying a knack for creating transformative versions of existing hits, ‘The Planner’ is our first demonstration of original work from Luke in his new era and sound. He begins with promptly confronting what’s been going on in his brain. The track addresses the false relief that comes with being an anxious planner (“Perhaps it’s right / And I’m just not stressed out enough”) which satiates the self-critical part of the mind that needs to know there’s nothing to worry about, while inadvertently heightening that very anxiety by feeding into the idea that things need to be perfect.
This tender emotion is matched with raw, plucky folk notes, which soften the blow of the internal battle he sings of on the track, with transposing notes that sound back and forth to create a warm, tapping beat over the comfort of violins which cushion the space behind his voice.
Saint luke grows louder and more impassioned as the track reaches its concluding moments. The initial tendency to not let emotions boil over the gentle instrumentation breaks, and his voice strengthens as he concedes, “Honey, I’ve been gunnin’ for you”. Full, layered backing vocals accompany this rise with ultimate, prolonged vocalisations closing the track ‘til guitar plucks scatter across its final seconds, as though a burst of excitement and, this time, genuine relief.
Kai Palmer
Image: ‘The Planner’ Official Single Cover
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