Jack River returns with new single 'Real Life' and announces headline shows for August
Image: Laura Smith
Australia’s Jack River (real name Holly Rankin) has returned with her first new music in almost a year with the single ‘Real Life’.
Written with and co-produced by long term collaborator Xavier Dunn, ‘Real Life’ is a gorgeous, summery, fast paced three minutes of bliss that brings together hectic electronic beats, brass instruments, 90s pop and spoken word verses. Lyrically it represent’s River’s yearning for the return of ‘real life’ when she first wrote it in the middle of lockdown: ‘I wanna take you out into the sunshine / Make it real life baby,’ she sings.
“’Real Life’ is the 90’s-esque dream land I needed to take a trip to, in the depths of never-ending lockdowns,” River says. “Amidst the gloom, I wanted to feel a peculiar and perfect summer, even if just for 3 minutes.”
The video, directed by W.A.M. Bleakley, has also been released. “It’s always fun shooting a summer themed clip during a La Niña ‘weather event’,” says Bleakley. “The rain was intense but we put up some big lights and added an artificial glow to everything which ended up working in our favour as it gave the whole piece a surreal old school look. Holly is an absolute legend and it was amazing shooting in her home town on the South Coast of NSW.”
To tie in with the release of new music, River will also return to the stage next month, performing shows in Melbourne and Sydney. It is a welcome return to the stage and our ears from an artist who has become one of the most important voices in the Australian music scene since the release of her three time ARIA nominated 2018 debut album Sugar Mountain. Not only has she accumulated over 66 million streams and multiple Platinum and Gold singles, she has also been a fierce advocate for important social issues including climate activism, the rights of First Nations people and human rights.
Always hitting the right sonic spot with her music, ‘Real Life’ is a joy from beginning to end and more new music from Jack River in 2022 cannot be welcomed enough.
‘Real Life’ is out now via I Oh You. You can download and stream here.
To keep up with all things Jack River you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
JACK RIVER LIVE DATES
18 August - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne with D’Arcy Spiller
Tickets: northcotesocialclub.com
19 August - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney with D’Arcy Spiller & Micra
Tickets: moshtix.com.au
