Thursday August 18, 2022
The Perth-born independent singer-songwriter Castle Hughes is yet another example of the new breed of stand-out DIY contemporary music artists forging their distinct paths to establishing an identity in Australia and globally. Castle’s 2021 debut, Moving On,was a contemporary dance-pop song that combined melodic power and lyrical prowess with a rousing vocal performance.
The song reflected a coming-of-age experience but one that resonated with a broader demographic. With her new release, FairPlay, Castle has extended her theme, a progression perhaps as natural as the slightly modified musical style adopted—think Florence and the Machine with a more refined pop edge, and you’re in the ballpark. Her debut was a finalist in the WAM Song of the Year Awards 14-17-year-old category in 2021.
It was also the winner of the Youth Week Songwriting Competition for CALM, nominee in the International Songwriting Awards – Teen category, finalist in The UK Songwriting Contest – Teen Category and a semi-finalist in the WA Listen Up Music Songwriting Prize 2021. Castle’s new release reveals an evolution of her talents and abilities, mixing organic, retro and electro elements and textures to create a superb contemporary pop track with hooks, heart, and soulful energy.
As Castle says about her latest release, ‘This song was written during my last year of high school (2021). I was really struggling, seemed to be in conflict with everyone and felt not good enough. I had another argument with my mum, and this song kind of spewed out post-argument. I won a songwriting session with Ilan Kidron last year, and this was the song we worked on during our session. I recorded the song with Chad Blondel at Blondel Studios in July 2022.’
The track’s lyrical theme is explored in the accompanying music video, which Castle worked on with collaborator and friend Ben L’Aiguille. As Castle says, ‘The story is about a girl who has a fight with her mum and runs away from home.
She burns her childhood teddy bear during the argument, and as she drives, she keeps seeing people arguing whilst holding her burning bear.’ FairPlay merges a steady, irresistible rhythm with tonnes of melodic muscle, all highlighted by Castle’s assured and exquisite vocal performance.
