News: Binary Drift releases "Velvet Hearts"

 

Madrid Singer/songwriter Mauricio Yrivarren A.K.A. Binary Drift releases the Britpop single "Velvet Hearts" in all streaming platforms on February 11th. Following 2019’s album "Pocket Tunes", this single follows up 2021’s "Summer Breeze" and it is the second of the releases that will make up Binary Drift's second album Mortido. 

Mauricio first picked up a guitar in his teens and felt an immediate connection to the instrument, as it became a medium to convey emotions. Having played in number of bands in his native Peru and the US where he lived for many years, his life journey brought him to Madrid a decade ago. A magical city indeed and birthplace of Binary Drift, his latest musical project.

According to Mauricio, “Velvet Hearts is undoubtedly a Britpop song. Written on a sunny afternoon, this is the song that Liam wished Noel had written and Noel wishes Liam would sing. I got into playing music in my early teens (mid-90s) and I was heavy into Oasis who ruled the airwaves then and have been a major influence ever since. I hadn’t played my first guitar, passed down from my uncle, in a long time, and when I got it out of its case all these memories of getting together with friends as a teenager and trying to figure out chords and melodies came back to me. I wanted to capture those memories in writing, and the phrases that were said in those days such as ‘we can’t help growing old’ and ‘push your luck but don’t let your guard down’ instantly became part of the lyrics. I then started to strum the guitar, and quickly figured out a beatlesque chord progression and the words, feeling as if I was singing along to a song that I had previously learned. At its core, “Velvet Hearts” is about the power of friendship and the importance of staying true to oneself”.

Binary Drift never fails to pleasantly surprise me every time he releases a new single. Based on his previous releases, I usually start listening to the new track with some expectations about the sound and the rythm and he always comes out with something completely different from everything he already did before. It's always a surprise, an intriguing surprise. So, after the flamenco chords of "Summer Breeze" he comes out now with "Velvet Hearts", a totally Britpop single that I'm sure you'll enjoy to listen!

When presented to producer Josemi Sánchez, he and Mauricio agreed that a palette of ‘classic’ rock sounds and tones would best suit “Velvet Hearts”. Opening with grand piano, the other instruments (guitar, bass, drums, and of course tambourine), gradually make their way into the song –ala Coldplay’s ‘The Scientist’-, leading to the exquisite first chorus. In the same fashion as the Gallagher brothers, Josemi and Mauricio resorted to the work of John Lennon, mirroring his distinctive use of echo on vocals, thus giving “Velvet Hearts” a classic feel and capturing John’s spirit. By the time the coda hits, listeners will find themselves wanting to listen to “Velvet Hearts” again.

Mauricio adds about the single’s cover and second album, “Mortido is the opposite of libido, it is defined in psychology as the psychical energy inherent to the death instinct. Radical indeed, yet I believe the term is a reflection of the times, the driving force of this decade. Working closely with photographer Luis Grajera, we drew from the likes of Dave Gahan (Violator), Bowie (Berlin trilogy), and Alex Turner (AM), and under the premise of “less is more” to craft a set of powerful images to reflect on the album concept and to accompany Mortido’s releases”. 

"Velvet Hearts"

Life keeps rolling by
we can't help growing old

but I'm always blue
and I'll always be

tears your cry
tears I bleed

don't you worry about those who say
you'll never see the light

we may stumble and fall
but always staying

who we are

velvet hearts / borrowed time
push your luck / but don't let your guard down

Down this one way street
Still together friends indeed

don't you worry about those who say
you'll never see the light

we may stumble and fall
but always staying

who we are

velvet hearts / borrowed time
push your luck / but don't let your guard down

you've got to
let it come down

Instagram: @binarydrift

Spotify: Binary Drift