Brighton-based artist Bess Atwell reveals her new single ‘Sylvester,’ premiering via Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music and out today alongside its new video. Produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, ‘Sylvester’ sees Bess contemplate and re-evaluate familial roles and relationships through the resurrection of the track’s namesake, an imaginary character from her childhood. The single is the first new music from Atwell following her critically acclaimed album Already, Always, which was released via Lucy Rose’s Communion imprint Real Kind Records.
Whilst careful not to romanticise her own tumult and trauma, it's undeniable that the wellspring of Atwell’s inspiration is her lived experience, her upbringing marked by a wider family life impacted by mental health struggles. This, alongside her own challenges communicating, fuelled Atwell’s need to express herself through music. The result is deeply personal and emotionally charged explorations of her own experiences and the complexities of human relationships, as exemplified on album singles like ‘Nobody’ and ‘Co-op.’ Atwell's lyrics also weave pastoral and abstract imagery, using natural motifs to convey themes of both conflict and violence, as well as beauty and defiance - as captured in another album standout ‘Time Comes In Roses.’ Alongside her original music, the album also features a haunting rendition of Robin Pecknold from Fleet Foxes’ demo ‘Olivia, In A Separate Bed,’ which was released with Pecknold’s blessing. With a unique ability to explore the profound in the familiar, latest single
‘Sylvester’ sees Bess Atwell continue this essential work, and foreshadows much more from her on the near horizon.