Scottish singer-songwriter Stephen McCafferty returns with his fourth single, and his latest in 2024. ‘Quiet Dream‘ was recorded and mixed by Garry Boyle at the Slate Room Studios, with it being mastered by Stuart Hamilton at the Castle Room Studios. Accompanying Stephen’s songwriting, vocals and guitar playing are Jason Rees on drums, Drio McPherrante on bass and Pete Nicholson on piano.
The intricately incorporated instrumentals make ‘Quiet Dream‘ a beautifully constructed track that tells an holistic and honest tale of heartbreak and the things reminding us of a specific person. Stephen’s storytelling begins with the lyric, “I don’t want to talk, there are things I should have forgot“. The melody is as addictive as it is authentic, a staple in Stephen McCafferty’s growing discography.
‘Quiet Dream‘ is a tranquil track that is as transformative as Stephen’s life has been so far. After living what he describes as a “nomadic” life of moving around and sleeping in different environments, he moved to Edinburgh. The Scottish capital was where he declared himself officially homeless and he lived in a shelter. Very quickly, Stephen began using his experiences to write truthful tracks full of “existential themes” that combine “introspective lyrics with anthemic choruses“.
With this latest tune, McCafferty provides listeners with a calm, insightful and reflective alternative to the loud and much heavier tunes emerging in local scenes at the moment. While these heavier tracks can be fun and provide energetic crowds, it’s nice to have a song like ‘Quiet Dream‘ that makes for more soothing and selective listening. This alternative gives a supportive surrounding, speaking a truth that many people will relate to and resonate with.
I’m really excited to see what Stephen McCafferty does next. With heartfelt lyrics harmonising with meticulously played melodies, his music isn’t a copy of others. Instead, his individualistic style of creating songs is inspiring. It is definitely something to watch out for as he continues to grow as an artist.