garfield mayor's new song 'light the dark' combines electric piano and indie grit for a harder sound

Following the unprecedented success of his summer anthem Foolish Feet, Garfield Mayor heralds the change of season with a bold new single titled Light the Dark. This time Mayor bids farewell to the beach disco in favour of a rugged, indie-pop landscape, reminiscent of fellow Northern songsmith Ian Brown.

Despite a turbulent career, Mayor’s resurgent return has yet to reveal much of his acrimonious split with Sony and subsequent retreat from public view. But whilst Light the Dark remains unwaveringly defiant in its narrative, there are hints he may be preparing to lower his guard:

“There’ve been times since Sony I’ve felt paralysed – like I’ve lost my voice, and can’t honour my blessings... We've all got talents that define us - it's vital we nurture them. Light the Dark's a call to exercise your talents no matter what... Or as Dr. King says: 'we must keep moving'” muses Mayor.

Whilst fans are seasoned to surprises from his expansive production locker, Light the Dark is straight from the engine room: back is the electric piano which combines with tough drums to drive forward relentlessly. Synth, electric guitar, and inevitably his beloved Taylor 314 get their moment too. Despite the familiarity, there’s a crunch here which makes for something altogether harder: this is classic Mayor - but on steroids.

Whereas previous productions have benefitted from the watchful eye of Mike Spencer (Ellie Goulding/Emeli Sandé/Ed Sheeran), this is an entirely solo affair, recorded and mixed at Mayor's home in Coventry. Not that you’d guess – Light the Dark is arguably his most accomplished work yet, and surely set to brighten the Autumn of his career further.

ABOUT
Garfield Mayor's music, and his gift for song writing are of the most timeless and special I have ever heard” - Evan Lamberg (President, Universal Music Publishing)

From a guy that's been instrumental in the careers of Neil Diamond, Miley Cyrus, Billy Joel, Pharrell Williams and Regina Spektor to name but a few – that's high praise indeed...

Garfield Mayor is a visionary British singer-songwriter who "weaves pop melodies around trenchant lyrics" (Melinda Newman - Billboard Magazine). Through his stories we are taken on a journey where ultimately we are reminded: there's no need to be lonely.

His talents have been likened to those of David Gray, Seal, and Joan Armatrading (alongside whom he performed on her farewell tour in 2015). His critically acclaimed debut album Take and Take has garnered such comments as being “…loaded with songs that belong on every radio and in every house” (Merck Mercuriadis - manager of Elton John/Morrisey/Pet Shop Boys) and “...full of ‘I wish I’d written that’ songs”  - (Rob Thomas - Grammy winning Singer/Songwriter, Matchbox 20/Santana).

Often alone with his guitar or piano, he has performed in London, Nashville, New York, and Paris. Other accolades include being nominated for UK Emerging Talent Awards Best Solo Artist and People’s Choice Award, Ultimate Ears Artist to Watch, and Hollywood Music in Media Best Video for “Take and Take”.
 
Influenced by the class and breadth of Paul Simon’s pen, the aesthetic of Fleetwood Mac, the hybrid sound of David Gray through to Kasabian, and the attitude that the best of any genre deserves due respect, Garfield Mayor is diverse yet familiar all at the same time.