In a change from my usual Friday pick of bold, buzzy pop, I wanted to leave you with something a bit musically different for the weekend this time. And with WorldPride celebrations taking place next weekend hosted by Copenhagen Pride, with Malmö Pride as a partner. I feel it super important to share a lovely summery pride anthem sent in by singer-songwriter Minute Taker. I feel sure EQ readers will be especially interested to hear the track “After The Rain” (as similarly, I was). Because it features some gorgeous backing vocals with courtesy from Bright Light Bright Light.

The essential pride anthems are, for the most part, made with the prerequisite of making us want to dance and celebrate. They are very upbeat and danceable. Yet, Minute Taker (aka Ben McGarvey) is here to show us not all pride anthems sound like that. There are other ways to write and compose an empowering LGBTQ anthem. By contrast, “After The Rain” sets out sounding like a ballad, both greatly emotive and pared back. But all is about to change. The switch is flicked at the half minute mark. The beat picks up, the mood turns, decidedly, Latin rhythmic and tropical. The track continues swapping back and forth, interpolating both strengths.

Listen on Apple Music

Minute Taker reveals the dual meaning of the self-penned song:

“On the one hand, it’s about the ups and downs of a really tempestuous relationship: the kind that can be like ecstasy and pure magic at times and at other times, tearing each other apart. On a different level, it’s about the journey of the LGBTQ+ community over recent history, ‘fearless cosmic angels, burning bright’ in the face of prejudice, weathering whatever adversity comes our way.”

Minute Taker has done something quite special here. “After the Rain” is no less glittery than the majority of pride anthems, it is just that Minute Taker thinks out of the box and does things a little bit more distinctively than everyone else.

If you like what you hear, make sure to keep checking back with Minute Taker. The eagerly-anticipated, forthcoming album, “Wolf Hours” is due out in November. I would urge you to mark that date up on your calendar.

Connect with Minute Taker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinuteTakerMusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Minute_Taker
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minutetaker/

Connect with Bright Light Bright Light
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightlightx2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brightlightx2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightlightx2