Four-piece synth-pop band Majorca released their 2nd single, Sequel on April 29th. Overflowing with a synth-pop groove, the song tells us the turbulent story of unreciprocated love, desire and remembrance. With its emotional depth and catchy production, Sequel cements itself in Majorca’s growing presence in the scene as one to watch!
The lyrics to Sequel delve into the emotional intensity of a turbulent and unreciprocated love. The song opens with a sense of loss from their male vocalist, “There it goes, dissolving in your sleep”, which implies something slipping out of grasp, quietly and inevitably. He continues with the phrase “With a touch, that crushes you with ease” which suggests an overwhelming power of desire or intimacy, highlighting the vulnerability within the presence of the other person in question.
There is a duality running throughout, leaving the song full of bitterness and sweetness as well as clarity and confusion. The line that pushes this imagery, “Cut you down like dead wood” portrays a lover who may be elusive or damaging, yet still just as deeply captivating. Despite this pain that is described, the narrator switches to the female vocalist, who yearns for their return, “Wish I could meet you all over again”, underscoring the magnetic pull of the connection.
The repeated line “Waiting for me” adds tension as the narrator switches back to the male vocalist, evoking a cycle of false hope and longing. Then, through the chorus, there is an overlap of both vocalists, in which we can hear “When I step into your light, it’s over” which expresses both the awe and finality of being consumed by this person, rounding off the exploration of love as a destructive and addictive force, as something which remains out of reach.
Instrumentally, Sequel is a complex and groovy synth-pop built up of a multitude of genres for the band to create their distinct sound. The song is built on reverbing synth layering, of chords and riffs, to which Majorca incorporate a fuzzy bass and minimalistic drum beat to add warmth to the instrumentals. Both vocalists add to the soundscape in their ways, with their male vocalist adding an airy tenor sound that builds upon the indie undertone of the music, as their female vocalist brings a silvery, soprano sound that gently moves above the song to emphasise the band’s pop elements. Sequel greatly balances desire and desperation, with a hint of dance-pop influence interlinked into its hazy production. The contrast between the two main themes is portrayed brilliantly through the use of both vocalists and their movement between each other and the music behind them, resulting in a danceable, chart-ready track ready to take the pop and indie scenes by storm.