Little Birdy’s last album Confetti (2009) was a stunning record full of pure pop gems like Summarize, Brother (featuring Paul Kelly) and the gorgeous Stay Wild. Despite the album going top 10, none of the singles from the record enjoyed the same success, although Brother did make JJJ’s Hottest 100. It must have been a big disappointment for this fab indie pop band because Confetti effectively became their swan song.
In 2010 Katy Steele flew the coop, leaving her band mates behind when she relocated to New York and while there’s been the odd song that’s surfaced from Katy since then nothing substantial has arrived until now. Katy wrote all of the material for Human, as well as co-producing the album. Katy says of the disc:
“Sonically we’ve achieved something really adventurous. In today’s landscape it’s much easier to just place a sampled drum in the track. But we didn’t want things, especially the drums, to sound like anything else out there. We tried to focus very heavily on the vocal production. Kate Bush was a huge influence for me in terms of what she does vocally, not melodically, more so for the vocal production.”
Her new single It Ain’t Me has a classic pop sensibility about it from the opening chords on the upright piano to the rousing catchy chorus delivered by Katy’s sweet vocal. It Ain’t Me was critical to the development of the album as Katy explains:
“Writing this song really was a turning point for me in terms of finding the vision and direction for the album. I felt like I had found the right sentiment and it really helped cement the vision for the rest of them. The lyrics really touch on parts of the long road I’ve been on in getting to this point. But I wanted to keep it really uplifting and empowering.”
If this wonderful slice of unadulterated pop is any indication of the rest of the album I can’t wait to hear it. It’s so good to have you back Katy.
Yes well I might be 80 years of age but I do like this song.
Never too old to rock n roll Margaret!