London-born Rose Betts has not let the scenery of LA change her music and influence in her recently released album There Is No Ship and latest single “Six.” The colorful rhythms and erratic lyrics ensure that Betts is to gain listeners from the audiences of Florence + The Machine and Paris Paloma.
The lyrics of the song share a thread of a violent ship at sea to explore the complexities of Betts’ families while not “being cornered into a neat package.” The song is bookended by the lyrics, “six dead pieces on the seashore that the waves brought for cleaning.” This phrase is a great set up for the tone and imagery of the song while also being a metaphor open for interpretation. Repeating the phrase “six dead pieces” throughout the song makes the tune feel like a sea shanty, following along with its marine theme. The melody itself is inspired by Betts’ Irish heritage, taking notes from traditional folk songs.
The instrumentation only adds to this baroque-pop song with its strings layered on top of one another. Further taking notes from Celtic music, violins and hand percussion are extensively used. One violin is plucked to create the rhythm, another is used with tremolo to create tension in the chorus, and another simply follows the chord progression. When weight is needed, a piano is heard in the back of the mix, along with a plucked cello and double bass to full out the lower frequencies. The instrumentation encapsulates Betts’ artistic aesthetic, not sounding out of place in a cave along a cold shoreline.
Betts’ focus on creating a soundscape and letting that sound dictate her lyrics and instrumentation helps create a song that has a clear purpose and distinct drive. “Six” can be found on Rose Betts sophomore album, There Is No Ship, which is out now wherever you find your music.
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