Bridges Releases Praiseworthy EP ‘Life Of The Party’ + Dreamy New Single ‘Drive’
Critically-acclaimed Aotearoa indie-pop artist Bridges, has today released her anticipated new sophomore EP, Life Of The Party, along with the new dream-pop single and video Drive.
Listen to Life Of The Party Here
Life Of The Party sees Bridges step boldly into an undeniable pop direction, with elements of dream, synth, and singer-songwriter pop woven throughout the project. At the core of the 5-track EP is Bridges’ knack for layering catchy indie-pop tunes with powerful, relatable lyrics.
The lush new NZ On Air-funded lead single Drive is also out today, joining the previously released Life of the Party, Lungs and Close To You, which saw Bridges feature on ZM’s Acoustic Corner and Rolling Stone AU/NZ. A true road-trip anthem, Drive captures the escapism of being on the open road with friends, without a care in the world.
“Drive is about, quite literally, driving away from your problems” says Bridges. “It’s a song that really summarises this era of Bridges for me; Life Of The Party has seen some light coming back into my life over the course of making it. Drive symbolises a new kind of carefree feeling I’ve caught glimpses of in the past year.”
The single is brought to life on 16mm film by critically-acclaimed NZ director Tom Grut – with Devan Narsai as the Director of Photography and Doug Bagg working as 1st Assistant Camera. Journeying into the evergreen environment of Riverhead and Cornwall Park, the visualiser captures the song’s raw and “in the moment” essence, with Bridges explaining “we wanted the footage to feel nostalgic. Nothing says nostalgia like not filming in digital!”
Also on the EP is Lifeline – a favourite song of the artist; one that tells the story of her personal experience with panic attacks. “My friends Rāwiri Waters and Callum Lee played a 3-part string arrangement for this one, with Bray Jeffrey co-producing with Rāwiri. Making this song with such good and kind friends was really special; really healing.”
The cast of Life Of The Party also feature a star-studded lineup of Joel Jones (Borderline, Georgia Lines), Josh Naley (Wells*, Foley, Paige), Vivek Gabriel, Roberto Panovski, Frances Carter and Chris Gehringer (Dua Lipa, Harry Styles).
The Life Of The Party EP celebration certainly does not stop here. Bridges and her 4-piece band are performing two unmissable shows – one on Saturday April 11 at Christchurch’s Space Academy and another at Auckland’s Tuning Fork on Friday April 17.
Get tickets to Auckland show here
Get tickets to Christchurch show here
Photo Credit: Frances Carter
