Prince Edward Island’s time-tested pop-rock group the Paper Lions is gearing up for a new album with the release of their newest single “Rhythm & Gold.” It has all the classic marks of a beloved Paper Lions jam that you’ve come to expect and crave: it’s peppy, catchy and peppered with just the right amount of back-up vocals in addition to the smooth main vocals.
The lyrical recipe for “Rhythm & Gold” is made up of romance, travel, adventure and music: “The picture of statuesque perfection, so I put out my hand, do you wanna start a band?“
Paper Lions have been around long enough to have solidified their sound and style, but this doesn’t stop them from trying new things.
According to the band, they felt their songwriting process was perfected in their last record, leaving them to continue writing mainly in the studio as a group effort for this album as well.
However, member Colin Buchanan explains, “Lyrically, we wanted to try something that was a linear story. Often our lyrics are driven more by imagery rather than straight forward storytelling, so it was fun to tackle this one in a more traditional way.”
So, when John MacPhee brought an idea to the group they got to work and moulded it until it became “Rhythm & Gold.”
“To say we aren’t precious about our ideas is an understatement, which is totally liberating. It’s a unique skill set that not every band has, so we tend to lean into it.”
After pushing the boundaries of indie rock on their last album they decided to return to a more guitar driven sound this time around, which is evident in this single.
You can always leave it to Paper Lions to cause involuntary dancing, but this particular single is fresh with celebratory vibes, which can be attributed to a liberated inspiration for its conception.
“We did a tour in Germany and Austria last winter where we only brought our bare essentials (guitar, bass, drums) and it was really freeing and fun. We still love creating a large spectacle on stage when we have the space and budget, but it’s good to know we can plug and play the way we used to when we first began. We wrote ‘Rhythm & Gold’ when we got back and I think of it as an ode to that spirit and excitement,” remarks Buchanan.
The resulting anthem proves that going back to your roots can be revitalizing and remind you of the love you have for what you do. You will feel this love from Paper Lions as you listen. It makes the lyrics from the chorus all the more appealing: “This is where I wanna stay, where we started loving rock and roll.”