Drugdealer Channels Classic 1960s Pop Brilliance on New Single 'The News'

2 days ago7 min read3 comments

Michael Collins, the mastermind behind the shape-shifting project Drugdealer, has built a career on excavating the smooth, sophisticated sounds of 1970s singer-songwriter pop. With his latest single, 'The News,' Collins executes a compelling pivot, reaching further back in time to harness the inventive spirit and melodic genius of 1960s pop.The track serves as more than mere homage; it's a vibrant, contemporary conversation with the era's greatest hits, channeling the sophisticated craftsmanship and buoyant energy synonymous with The Beatles' later work. Released as part of a forthcoming 7-inch—paired with this year's cinematic Weyes Blood collaboration 'Real Thing'—the single showcases Drugdealer's impressive dynamic range.Where its A-side counterpart drifts in ethereal grandeur, 'The News' is all immediate, guitar-driven jangle, built on a foundation of McCartney-esque basslines, crisp drum fills, and harmonies that recall the legendary Lennon-McCartney blend. Collins, known for his meticulous curation, reportedly constructed the track from the ground up with a skilled ensemble of session players to achieve its authentic texture.This deliberate stylistic shift underscores Collins' philosophy of treating musical decades not as isolated periods, but as a fluid, interconnected palette of inspiration. The song's structure itself is a masterclass in classic pop, featuring an instantly memorable verse, a comforting, familiar chorus, and a surprising middle-eight that keeps the listener engaged.For collectors, the 7-inch format is a purposeful nod to musical history, offering a tangible artifact in a digital age. Ultimately, 'The News' cements Drugdealer's status not as a simple revivalist, but as a masterful translator. Collins adeptly takes the emotional and melodic vocabulary of bygone eras and renders it in a dialect that resonates profoundly today, proving that the core principles of great pop—melody, heart, and magic—remain timeless.

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