Mixing nostalgia with a lo-fi, DIY approach, Rainy Day Café have already had their new single ‘I’m Lost In This World’ played on BBCIntroducing, so it’s clearly a winning formula.
Rainy Day Café is the recording project of Welsh-born, Brighton-based songwriter and recording enthusiast Ben Williams. The project began in 2021 and stemmed from a desire for a fresh start after the COVID-19 pandemic.
A one-man band, in the studio, Williams lays down all instrumentation to tape, often using various pieces of old recording equipment.
‘I’m Lost In This World’ has a unique, almost narrow sound, which gives it a charmingly old-fashioned timbre. I can imagine discovering this on an old 45 record, or hearing it blasting from a Bakelite radio, and the song wastes no time as the Beatles-esque simplicity and efficiency work its magic.
Ben’s vocals suit the track perfectly as his distinctive tone shines through the lo-fi recording. A jaunty bass and energetic beat propel the track forward. The main motif – a devilishly simple hook – is repeated again and again until it’s firmly lodged in your mind. You’ll be humming this one later, I guarantee.
The wide-eyed, nostalgic charm is hard to resist, and the perky, upbeat music invokes feelings of a bygone golden era of pop innocence.
“Wanted to hate you this time, but I don’t think that I can
When I feel like giving up, you pull me out again
I’m lost in this world, but I still have you”
A wonderfully guttural guitar solo bounces along like an excited puppy, and before you know it, it’s all over.
Rainy Day Café might be lost in this world, but with a song this good, it’s clear they’re exactly where they need to be.
Written by Grubby
