The illustrious New York artist, Rachael Sage returns with her latest breathtaking single, ‘Only You’.
If it evokes memories of the timeless 1982 classic by the one and only Yazoo, you wouldn’t be mistaken, as Rachael breathes new life into this iconic hit. Alongside the single, Sage showcases her exceptional artistic talent through a captivating new music video.
In everything Rachael does, she ensures that vibrant colours fill the room, and both the video and the revamped sound of the song truly embody that essence. By swapping the retro ’80s synthesizers and drum machines for her folky acoustic guitar and keys, this track seamlessly integrates into her impressive catalogue.
The music video not only showcases Sage’s exceptional skills as a performer but also provides a glimpse into her multifaceted artistry. Against the backdrop of her breathtaking paintings, Sage not only mesmerizes with her musical talent but also paints a vivid picture with her soul-stirring vocal melodies. With each stroke of her brushes and every note she sings, she creates a harmonious synergy between sound and visual, allowing her creativity to manifest in both realms. The video becomes a testament to her boundless artistic expression, capturing the essence of her talent and the depth of her artistic vision. It is a captivating visual journey that immerses the audience in a world where music and art seamlessly intertwine, leaving a lasting impression.
Rachael takes a moment to express her love for the song and why this cover means so much to her. “A few years ago I saw the incredible Alison Moyet perform at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC, and it had a huge impact on me. I had listened to Yazoo a lot as a kid (‘Upstairs At Eric’s’ was a cassette mainstay) and always admired how deceptively simple their sound was. Trendy arpeggiated synths couldn’t mask the fact that their songs were absolutely timeless and that the melody of a song like ‘Only You’ was equally an earworm as it was emotionally universal. I used to perform this song at my local coffeehouse in college on the piano, and I don’t typically do covers but during lockdown, it felt both comforting and nostalgic to sing it on a handful of my Facebook livestreams (all the rage in 2020). When it came time to reconvene with my band in the studio last year, it just felt like it fit with the other material I had written, much of which was similarly yearning but also more direct than my previous albums. In my opinion, it’s a perfect pop song. Everyone can relate to the lyric, and sing along to the ‘badada’ bridge. It was fun to enlist my trumpet and violin players to replicate the original synth melody, and to also finally have a reason to play my old Jupiter-8 synthesizer again!”
‘Only You’ serves as a prelude to the release of Rachael Sage’s highly anticipated album, ‘The Other Side’, which features standout tracks like ‘Whistle Blow’ and ‘I Made A Case’, where she collaborates with the acclaimed artist Howard Jones. The album’s title track is another gem to look out for, ensuring that listeners are in for a truly remarkable musical experience.