Dreampop duo Zo Lief share new single ‘Stop The Party’
The single marks their third release from the upcoming 6-track EP ‘Hypnosis’.
Photo: Zo Lief
As both musical and romantic partners, Laura Chen (Dutch singer-songwriter and guitarist) and James Atwood (British multi-instrumentalist) have collaborated once more to bring us the sweet and starry-eyed Stop The Party. It’s the third and final single from their upcoming 6-track EP Hypnosis (set for release on March 28th, 2025).
The sonic world sculpted by Zo Lief is closely orbited by a myriad of dreamy genres, from psychedelia to chamber pop, and the result is mesmeric. Performing live as a three-piece band, they have toured considerably around the UK and Europe, establishing themselves amongst the likes of NewDad and Zimmer90. With help from a successful crowdfunding campaign, they released their debut EP, Believe What You Believe, via AWAL in 2023 with the production and mixing aid of James Bagshaw of Temples – who has joined forces with the duo again on their new release.
The track is bittersweet, lyrically conjuring up the paradoxical experience of being left at the fringes of a crowded party, as it drives home what it’s like to feel lonesome and alienated in a buzzing sea of faces.
“You can be lonesome in a jam-packed space”. (Stop The Party, Hypnosis – 2025)
Opening with a heartily ambient but minimalist piano line reminiscent of a beloved old melody or pensive theme (think Mia & Sebastian’s Theme from La La Land), there is an immediate and overwhelming atmosphere of cinematic reverie. This is soon replaced by a steady, indie pop-style drum beat, as the intimate opening is followed by three minutes of sugary introspection. Shoegaze-inspired guitars — which are drenched in reverb — add a layer of hazy texture whilst intermittent piano stab chords punctuate and echo the main melody. In the bridge, the song’s tone slightly shifts to one that is populated by whispered vocals and swirling synths, pulling you into a rich and encapsulating stereo soundscape before resolving satisfyingly with a final chorus.
Imagine the cool edge of the Arctic Monkeys having a drink with the saccharine allure of Lana Del Rey, all whilst awkwardly avoiding eye contact with a host who has only requested their company in an attempt to fill an emotional void. Got that? If I was not clear enough, seek for the answers yourself in Zo Lief’s euphonious cautionary tale.
Stop The Party is out now via Lab Music. The full EP Hypnosis is out March 28th.