Following close on the success of her single “Nunchucks “, rising Sydney indie pop/R&B artist Taylor B-W has a new addition to her strongly growing body of work. “I’m So Broke” flirts with the same colourful, 90s soundscape and vision, with a hint of current electro-pop intricacies inspired by Bebe Rexha, Kimbra and Billie Eilish. The new release is also accompanied by an innovative music video, directed by Sydney-based, Spanish filmmaker, Jordi Marin.
Bouncy and playful with its plucky Dr Dre-esque bass and West Coast whistle and melding B-W’s passion for 90s pop, hip-hop, and R&B, “I’m So Broke” draws you in, enticing you with its catchy melody and conversationalist lyricism, as if you are conversing with a friend.
During one of her frequent low points in life last year, B-W wrote the song around the sadness and depression she was experiencing, which coincided with Covid-19 and all her gigs being rapidly cancelled. “I’m So Broke” has a double-edged theme of feeling ‘unhinged’ along with a lack of funds. Not wanting to write a typical woe-is-me song, however, B-W decided to deliver her sentiments in a musically upbeat pop tune (with the help of producer Quinn), and still projecting her sassy, soulful, cool-girl sensibilities.
“We have all been there – some more consistently than others – where we just don’t feel OK. I have always struggled with my own mental health, and this song reflects my state of mind, with a double entendre of being financially unstable – I find the two can sometimes go hand-in-hand.”
Taylor B-W
Fans of B-W will certainly relate to her fun and cheeky treatment of the “I’m So Broke” music video. Filmed at Camperdown studios, director Jordi Marin used an Insta360 Pro 2 camera to experimentally create an orbital visual. Set in a ‘behind-the-scenes’ concept, we see three emotionally distinct ‘Taylors’ all vying for the attention of the camera, while the camera itself is rotating around, much like B-W’s own constant emotional turmoil.
“I’m a very visual person and I had seen what the Insta360 Camera could achieve, so I knew I wanted to incorporate this technique in my music video – to break away from moody lyrical sentiments and just have fun.”
Taylor B-W
PRAISE FOR TAYLOR B-W
“…fusing Little Dragon with Kimbra with very fine results!” Triple J, Declan Byrne
“Oh my days girl low-key singin’ like Mary J. overthose Banks-esque beats I’m here for the marriage of these worlds. That skilled control sounds effortless for you.”
Triple J, Ilai Swindells
” She has quickly established her penchant for crafting tracks that feel simultaneously dynamic and well thought-out; they’re always bursting at the seams with explosive energy, but never sacrifice musical acumen.” Happy Mag