I first encountered Belgian duo Portland when they released mesmerising folk pop ballad ‘Lucky Clover’, and I’ve kept eyes and ears on the duo ever since. They have just released their new single and lyric video for ‘Stardust’, and I can confirm they and their brilliant soothing pop have not lost their magic. The song is a warm and comforting, sweet and angelic song driven by clear vocals and a subtle yet filling soundscape that builds all the way throughout.
The dream pop duo announced the release of their second album ‘Departures’ at the same time they released ‘Stardust’, ‘Departures’ is due for release on the 17th of March on [PIAS] Recordings. On their new single, vocalist Sarah Pepels says: “In January 2021, I was heartbroken, I had to leave a lot of memories and a port of my life, my love, behind. I didn’t know where to go, but I knew, I had to write music to put those thoughts and heavy emotions into. I needed to be alone, so I went cat-sitting at my niece’s apartment. I locked myself up for four days with nothing but the warmth and company of the furry kittens. It turned out to be a very intense and cathartic journey. And so ‘Stardust’, a song that means the world to me, was born.”
What I enjoy most about music and lyrics is being able to relate to lyrics without them having been written about me. With ‘Stardust’, Portland indirectly wrote about me and situations I have been through, which makes me feel supported and like I am never truly alone. That, to me, is the magic of music.
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