As I write this review, it is raining outside and it almost seems like the mist shrouds everything in sight, producing a sense of mystery. It’s like looking inside someone’s heart, surrounded by turmoil and chaos that’s not visible on the surface. The song “Heart”, written and performed by up-and-coming artist Tracy Tse, feels almost like that: a peaceful, relaxed folk song about the state of a tangled heart.
Deeply influenced by Britpop, R&B and other lesser-known genres in HK, Tracy Tse is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Hong Kong. Learning piano as a child and later guitar in her adolescent years, Tracy’s music career started in 2014 when she formed an indie band and played as a vocalist and keyboardist. With her band on hiatus, she turned her focus to her solo music project with encouragement and support from her guitar mentor and mastermind of the indie band Wantamnam—Fengyi. “Heart” is her debut single, her first and latest song featuring her distinctive style: a simple, soothing melody, accompanied by acoustic guitar tunes with soft vocals and thoughtful lyrics.
To start, let’s look at the style of this song. Based on its melody, instrumentation and vocals, “Heart” is likely inspired by indie folk and dream pop. This is because it has a simple melody and uses acoustic guitar as the main backing instrument, only using synths in some parts. The vocals tend to be softer and breathier, adapting to the smooth, dream-like quality of the song. Although inspired by indie folk and dream pop, the style of this song feels closer to indie folk than dream pop, with the soft feel and use of few instruments. By the way, the production, mixing and performances of the vocals and instruments sound fantastic, and that speaks volumes about the producer, arranger and performers.
Next, the song has a simple structure, consisting only of two verses, one bridge and three choruses. Both verses are similar in structure but different in lyrics, and the last chorus also has different lyrics than the previous ones, which will be discussed in a later paragraph. Near the end of the song, there’s an instrumental break performed by the acoustic guitars and backed by vocals and synths, in which it repeats the same line/phrase and continues the melancholic, introspective feel of the song. In addition, the song has this soft and gentle vibe, created by the breathy vocals, simple harmonies and intricate melodies played by the acoustic guitars. In return, this soothing and laidback vibe shows a striking contrast to a looming storm, whether interpreted metaphorically or literally.
After that, the lyrics are simple and short, yet at the same time reflective and thought-provoking. It’s about the singer’s internal struggle of staying in or leaving the relationship. Along with the guitar strumming, the chorus becomes catchy and memorable, especially the first line “Lift me up, don’t let me down”. I think it’s a good line, not just because it’s catchy, but also because it is the thesis of the song: the singer’s struggle to continue the relationship. Of course, the singer knows that she has to make a decision, as written in the last chorus, “I have to go or lose control,” but she can’t make the decision just yet. This is shown again musically and in the structure where the song includes a long instrumental break right before the end, which can be interpreted as the longing and hesitance to stop or break up. In a general sense and from a wider perspective, this song presents this struggle, the longing and confusion lyrically and through the musical juxtaposition: a soft, reflective tune versus the confusion and struggle in the singer’s heart.
Lastly, a personal statement and commentary on the song myself. Truth be told, I fell asleep once while listening to this song on repeat. It’s a testament to the style and vibe of this song, which is perfectly designed and produced through the melody, instrumentation and more! It’s a different style and tone from many songs these days, whether it be jazz, pop, fusion jazz or something else, and I think it’s an amazing thing! It’s a delightful tune on its own, and amidst a chaotic, rushing city, its softer, thoughtful vibe is even more highlighted. Most of the time I would give some suggestions or neutral critiques of the song I’m reviewing, but it’s harder for me to come up with a suggestion for this song. It’s not just a different style from the songs I listen to, but also because it’s beautiful and perfect on its own, whether it’s the beautifully woven lyrics or the genuine, sincere feelings. To sum it up, I like this song (and the MV as well!), and I’d rate it an 8 or 9 out of 10 since nothing is perfect, but it’s still one of the best songs I’ve heard and is from an artist in Hong Kong.
In conclusion, Tracy’s Heart is an amazing indie folk song, distinguished by its soft, dream-like vibe, acoustic guitar strumming and thoughtful lyrics. Although different from most mainstream songs and tunes, it’s genuinely a great song, whether you’re listening for the soft, cosy vibes or the thoughtful, elegant lyrics. You can listen to it now on various streaming services such as Bandcamp and more! You can also follow the artist Tracy Tse on Instagram and YouTube. Hopefully, this song can provide some comfort and solace even amidst storms and chaotic situations, and let you find companionship within the lyrics!
-Joshua
