Today, we discovered “Burning (Troubadour Version),” by Dublin-based indie outfit The Neon Sea. An intimate, emotionally articulate performance.
Built around subtle guitar work and a restrained, atmospheric arrangement, the track showcases Tom Doyle’s vocals in their most vulnerable form. There’s a tangible weight to the lyrics but the delivery never feels burdensome. Instead, there’s a sense of rising above the heaviness rather than being swallowed by it, and it feels good!
While the theme of burning suggests destruction, it’s treated with nuance. The song leans into melancholy, but resists despair. In this version, the band allows the listener to dwell in reflection without drowning in sorrow.
Echoes of soft rock and ambient dream-pop are present, but used sparingly. The end result is a track that feels both grounded and transcendent: press play!
