Kyla La Grange - Been Better

‘Been Better’ does exactly what it says on the tin - it’s a dusky, pensive little shadow of a tune that is best savoured whilst cheerful. Play this miserable little plum on a sadder day, however, and it’s entirely plausible that you could fall into some sort of suicidal state.

It must be said that this is not because the music is in any way either substandard or malign. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Her Marianne Faithfull-esque vocals are strident and mature, her song-writing marvellous. As for her intention, she has said that she ‘loves anything about broken hearts’ and that ‘she only writes because she’s sad’. But it’s the way in which her music and impulsions mingle which may put some listeners off.

This is the kind of song suited to soundtrack the apocalypse: fiery and histrionic. Just take a look at its grandiose promo where La Grange appears to be crying, fire imagery pervades and horses flee. Contemplative longings like ‘Why is my heart never mine?’ and simple laments like ‘Been Better’, repeated ad infinitum, only add to the awkward urgency.

Although the song is stark in its lyrical content, her Cambs Uni education is evidenced by both her articulacy and deft musical arrangements. The balance of electric and acoustic is just right. The epitome of this is the glorious bridge at 2.20 comprising stabbing riffage, rumbling bass and squalling howls. Four minutes of this would be cool, but no - the ‘been better’ comes ringing in once again. If only she’d written a gleeful alliterative hook instead.