Welcome to HeartSongs, our regularly scheduled (probably) look at songs and the people who write them. We spoke to Oxbloods about their recent single ‘Minefield’.

Listen to 'Minefield' Here

Chris: “‘Minefield’ was originally a track from Matt's previous band. After showing it to me, we reworked the song making it more contemporary, and to an extent “poppy”. We then passed the track over to Charlie who wrote some great vocal parts and the song was essentially done. We finished it very quickly and it hasn't changed much during the recording process”.

Matt L: “It usually either starts with me or Chris writing a section or a skeleton of a song, which we then pass over to the rest of the guys to rip it apart and then work together to get it right”.

Matty A: “The recording process was quite long for the EP. We were all finishing different stages of our degrees so some sessions were weeks apart from one another. A lot of ‘Minefield’ (especially the vocals) is actually the demo tracks added in at the studio. Charlie just did such a good job the first time around we didn't redo them”.

Chris: “To me at least, playing the song online, and also live, breathes this completely different air into the song. We've spent so long keeping all our tracks locked away from the world while we finished them. So now they're out there for everyone, they suddenly feel fresh and alive like we only wrote them last weekend”.

Matt L: “There's literally no other feeling to play the songs live, there's that instant gratification which is completely different to recording the songs. Playing shows is the best part”.

Lyrics:

Do you remember the time?

Our minds were synchronized?

When did you draw the line?

Because you’re shooting in the dark

Don’t work unless you’re paid

Wipe off your masquerade

Leader of the cavalcade

But since when were you in charge?

 

All I wanna know is if all you’re gonna throw us is a lifeline,

An idea of where to go

Will you crawl back out of the grave they’ve dug out deep

Or have you lost hope in the only right you know?

You’re running low on steam when we’ve got so far to grow

‘Cause all I’ve ever known is you won’t condone promise

This is the last time, 

Are you friend or are you foe?

 

Where do you find the time to let your tact decline?

Don’t make us all recline

Because you’re taking this all too far

Just give your thoughts some space

Don’t make the passion fade

Pulling your strings again

How far will your back bend?

Your chance will come again

But for now we’re just killing time

 

All I wanna know is if all you’re gonna throw us is a lifeline,

An idea of where to go

Greed like love of comfort is fear

The smile you cast them, did you fake it?

Cause you reap what you have sewn

You’re running low on steam when we’ve got so far to grow

‘Cause all I’ve ever known is you won’t condone promise

This is the last time, 

Are you friend or are you foe?

 

All I wanna know is

All I’ve ever known is

All I wanna know is

All you’ll ever know is

 

All I wanna know is if all you’re gonna throw us is a lifeline,

An idea of where to go

Beg the question, 

Bend truth to fuel your misdemeanors with the wrong souls,

Just to feel you’re in control

You’re running low on steam when we’ve got so far to grow

‘Cause all I’ve ever known is you won’t condone promise

This is the last time, 

Are you friend or are you foe?

 

 

 

Maya Killtron brings the ‘90s back with ‘Satin Sheets’. It’s smooth R&B tune with squelchy, retro synths and a summery vibe that will remind you of when Will Smith was The Fresh Prince, Snoop Dogg  was Snoop Dogg, and len tried to steal your sunshine.

“With this track I wanted to take it back to my hometown high school summers. Picture it, Brampton 1999 – cruisin’ along Queen St on the 1A to Bramalea City Center, summer crushes at the Professor’s lake beach, tryin’ to catch the eye of the L-section babes for a slow jam at Rec dances, between pizza roll breaks, & bright summer afternoons crushing banquet burgers with the whole squad at Sunny’s. This song is high school Maya, the stacked vocal harmonies, the ‘90s bass, the Brampton top down beat. As with all of the Never Dance Alone (my forthcoming Album) tracks, it’s the music I always wanted to make. Not just a nod or throwback, not disposable or following any trend. It’s a real gateway into my musical past in ever bar. Syrupy, rich and full of R&B high school angst.”