Brooklyn-based music and visual artist Johnny Darlin is releasing “Permanent Marker” here on 50thirdand3rd. “Permanent Marker” is the first single off of his upcoming EP. The track is co-produced by longtime creative partner Francis Steakknife, who also had a hand in the soundscape of Johnny’s first EP, Mr. Monogamy, released in 2014.
Johnny wrote “Permanent Marker” after a synth and loop pedal improv session in Francis’s apartment one cold, rainy winter Saturday afternoon. Francis had an old-fashion, upbeat doo-wop inclination from the demo and ran with it, producing something that ultimately surprised them both.
“Permanent Marker” is one of five songs off Johnny’s upcoming Hump Days EP out later this year, a project he describes as “an attempt at turning the conflicting forces of his youth into piano-based soul-searchers or disco anthems.” Until then, Mr. Monogamy can be heard on soundcloud,iTunes, viewed at http://johnnydarlin.com, and Johnny can be seen live performing around New York.
“Permanent Marker” is a falsetto synth pop cry for a lover lost. The breakdown in the bridge is so full of eighties angst that when listening to this song I can’t help but imagine Molly Ringwald yelling at another Brat Pack member for breaking her pretty in pink heart. Part eighties dance track, part heartbroken lullaby, “Permanent Marker” is the perfect rainy day tune.
