'Only touch me when it feels like love'- Girl In The Year Above: A single release
Girl in the Year Above is an Irish–Cornish band, known for their songs Teardrop, Mama, My Heart Is Achin’, Ode To The Glory Days and soon, their newest single release Wet Paint. A joyous and heart breaking song that harnesses the experience of sexual assault and the growth it takes to feel at home in your body again.
The band is made up of; Jennifer Ball, Vocalist, Shane Kennedy, acoustic guitar, bass, David Kennedy, electric guitar, Nathan Coen, bass, acoustic guitar and Jeanie White on keys paired with vocals. A band made of two brothers, best friends and a couple (The best way to form any band).
Jennifer Ball, lead singer of the band shared a poem during the lead up to the release;
'How still do I do have to lie?
You bat away hands again because you're better at that now and these days you can but my heart aches for any woman in a parallel world where He's slightly more drunk or He's slightly more pushy and He just doesn't want to listen, at all.
This isn't just something that happens in seedy back alley after being battled to the floor.
This could happen in the comfort in one's own bed or it could happen on holiday with an ex, Well, you've already paid, you might as well go as friends.
It happens at campsites where you mustn't make a fuss.
It happens when you're too young and you didn't really know what he meant by "Doing stuff" and then it's in your gut and it didn't feel like love.
So when hands run over your body and no doesn't cut it of course you freeze and of course you're sick to your stomach.
The walls of respect you've built up for yourself since last time crumble to the floor and you're left feeling so small.
I hate how how I can pass any woman on the street and think 'I bet it's happened to her'
At this point I wonder if it's happened to us all.
How hard is it to grasp when someone doesn't want to be fucked?
I want to be touched how I would touch, only touch me when it feels like love.'
The writing of this poem echoes within the lyrics of the single, the feeling of becoming sure of yourself again, like a cycle most women are forced into. The call and response built up by touring with the song where Jen will sing 'Wet paint' and the audience reply with 'Don't touch' adds to the pain of knowing that every woman in that audience, screaming and singing along knows the feeling. The song brings a sense of community and support, a quiet knowing that we all need to shout the words at the top of our lungs 'Don't touch!'
On the other side of this, the lyrics 'Only touch how I would touch, only touch me when it feel like love' brings a new element to the deeper meaning of the track. As even though you have to piece yourself back together, love will come and it will feel that way. An understanding between two considerate partners, the feeling of safety comes back and that too is a part of healing.
I have heard this song twice, prior to it's release, both times in which I cried. The combination of genius lyrism, melody, audience participation and Jen's angelic vocals is enough to make anyone ball tears. This is a healing song, one to scream while you dance in the rain. I personally cannot wait to hear what Girl From The Year Above have for us next!
Currently you can find Girl In The Year Above on tour at the following location and dates...
Wet Paint will be released on the 22nd of September, currently you can pre-save it through the link below.
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