Departing from their previous sound, Still Blue delves into a more introspective and organic indie-folk territory with ‘Brushstrokes’, a beautifully crafted piece that showcases the band’s musical maturity. The song is anchored by warm acoustic guitar tones that intertwine seamlessly with delicate electric guitar layers, understated drums, and subtle piano. These elements create a rich and atmospheric backdrop for Nicole Lyons’ soaring vocals and rich harmonies. Nicole’s reflective lyrics explore the complexities of relationships, offering a mature perspective on love’s beauty and imperfections.

The addition of Kait Cullen-Verhauz on cello adds depth and warmth to the arrangement, further enhancing the emotional impact of the song. Recorded at Black Mountain Studios, producer Alex Borwick played a crucial role in bringing the intricate textures of ‘Brushstrokes’ to life. It’s a delicate balance of melancholy and elegance, making it one of Still Blue’s most refined releases to date. The Dublin-based band continues to solidify their position as rising stars in the Irish indie scene, so fans can eagerly anticipate more exciting releases from Still Blue in the future.

“It was one of those songs that just flowed. I wasn’t really sure what I was writing about until I let the song rest and came back to it a few months later. I wasn’t ready to accept what I was writing. I think a lot of times in relationships we want to ignore that ugly side and only choose to see the good. But that’s not love. ‘Brushstrokes’ is a track about seeing a relationship for what it is and not what you want it to be. We were lucky to record the track in Black Mountain Studios with Alex Borwick. It felt fitting to record ‘Brushstrokes’ there in the peace and quiet. Alex really helped bring the song to life in the studio. We were also buzzing to have Kait Cullen-Verhauz back playing cello on one of our songs too. It always feels special working with such talented musicians and having the space to try out random ideas. In the end, most of those silly ‘what if we did this?’ moments end up in the track anyway and they’re what makes this song feel as close and warm as it does.”

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