Stephen McCafferty’s elegant fifth single, ‘Someday Somehow’, is anthemic. It is thought provoking. This single is the latest in his beautifully constructed catalogue of material.
If you could relive the nostalgia of a lost love, would you take that journey? Would you, even knowing all roads lead to the same conclusion?
photo // Bas Van Tujil
Right from the get-go go the instrumentation is bursting with colour and ambition. Joining McCafferty on the track is Jason Rees on drums, Dario McPherrante on bass, and Pete Nicholson on piano. It goes without saying that flowers are to be given to each accompanying musician. When all elements are combined they produce a beautifully varied sound. Soft like a feather in the verses and mountainous throughout the choruses. The group clearly understands the importance of dynamics. The production by Gary Boyle and mastering by Stuart Hamilton is also especially complementary to the track.
The vocals throughout are another high point. Lathered in passionate powerful melodies but with a sense of vulnerability in delivery, the performance in this track is outstanding. The harmonies in the chorus cut through nicely. They add even more layers to the titanic sound McCafferty and co have created.
photo // Bas Van Tujil
Lyrically the composition is some of the writer’s finest work, he’s a true poet. The imagery, relatability, and philosophical approach to his writing really sets him apart from others. This approach helps the listener relate and also allows them to find comfort in reflecting. The reference to “The Myth of Sisyphus” from Greek mythology lyric might catch your attention. In short, it’s a story about a man condemned to repeat the same meaningless task for eternity. The man was to roll a boulder up a mountain. It would inevitably roll back down every time he approached the summit.
I was curious about the line. So, I reached out to the writer and he further elaborated on its meaning.
“It’s about what you mentioned with an added layer of Camus who wrote an essay on absurdism/existentialism using Sisyphus as a framework in finding meaning in a meaningless world.
I was trying to reflect the same idea that even in a challenging relationship where struggles are repetitive or seemingly futile, there can still be meaning or value. In the same way Camus imagined Sisyphus happy, you’re questioning whether happiness can still be found despite the hardships, suggesting that even if a relationship feels like pushing a boulder up a hill, it might still be worth the effort, or perhaps it’s the struggle itself that gives it meaning”
photo // Bas Van Tujil
McCafferty discussed the art of “Frankensteining” his songs in a recent Instagram live interview. This is where he would take certain elements from unreleased demos and combine them together. He describes using this technique throughout having periods of writer’s block. We can see this method put to good use in his new release. The chorus was actually written when he was in his early teens!
With his return to releasing music this year in 2024, it’s without a shadow of a doubt that the artist has a promising future ahead. If he keeps his momentum, Stephen McCafferty will become one of the prominent names emerging from the Scottish scene.
‘Someday Somehow’ has been brewing for over a decade and it was worth the wait.
Listen below