Nashville-based singer/songwriter (and Atwood artist-to-watch) Felicity aches in all the right ways on her bold, brooding, and soul-soaked song “There’s Been a Lot Going On,” pouring heaps of burnout and exhaustion into a breathtakingly cinematic, dreamy, and emotionally charged reverie.
“There’s Been a Lot Going On” – Felicity
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party but what other party could I throw with the state of the world?
“There’s been a lot going on.”
It’s an honest, loaded message, and one that many of us find ourselves saying more and more frequently these days. Life is, simply put, overwhelming: Beyond the constant social media pings, endless scrolls, and news feeds eating away at our strained attention spans, it’s becoming harder and harder to get by. The cost of living itself is through the roof, meaning it takes that much more out of us to put a literal roof over our heads.
All of this is to say that, when Felicity opens her latest song singing, “Sorry I just got your message, there’s been a lot going on,” we get it. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter aches in all the right ways on her bold, brooding, and soul-soaked song “There’s Been a Lot Going On,” pouring heaps of burnout, exhaustion, and fatigue into a breathtakingly cinematic, dreamy, and emotionally charged reverie.
Sorry I just got your message,
there’s been a lot going on
Think I just need some breakfast,
and to put on my safety song
Yeah when I’m spinning Amy
my tears dry on their own
I was only crying in the first place
’cause there’s been a lot going on
And on, and on, and on, and on
An awful lot going on and on,
and on, and on, and on
If, like Felicity, you’ve been out-of-touch for all the wrong reasons, it might be worth stepping back and listening up. Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “There’s Been a Lot Going On,” the Australian artist’s second song of the year (following May’s “I Prefer You in My Head”) and the latest single taken off her forthcoming debut EP, You Take Me To Dinner But You’ll Never Feed My Soul (out July 19, 2024 via East Music Row Records).
Born in Perth, Australia and based in Music City now for the past three years, Felicity sings with a fire in her gut.
Citing inspirations like Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Queen, and Alanis Morissette, the artist performs hot and heavy on the mic, giving her all and surrendering herself in songs full of passion, vulnerability, and her very own raw, exposed humanity. May’s “I Prefer You In My Head” represented her first original release in nearly six years’ time; an acoustic song layered in her own multiple, dramatic vocal harmonies, it reintroduced her with a sense of intimacy and immediacy, putting as few instrumental barriers as possible between artist and audience.
Sorry I just worked the late shift
and I didn’t quite catch the news,
Is another record breaking
or is another criminal
in charge and on the loose?
I didn’t quite catch the news
there’s been a lot going on
And on, and on, and on, and on
An awful lot going on and on,
and on, and on, and on
“There’s Been a Lot Going On” is far more built-out in comparison, yet it’s just as up-close and personal as its predecessor. Felicity sings with confessional clarity, reflecting on painful burnout (emotional and physical) while attempting to reconcile why she feels the way she does. Her impassioned voice rises to a fever pitch in the song’s cathartic, catchy, and harmony-laden chorus. Fuzzy guitars roar and warm voices soar as Felicity unapologetically spills her soul:
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party
but what other party could I throw
with the state of the world?
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party
but I’m feeling sorry for you all
for the state of the world
Her second single “back” sees Felicity collaborating with fellow Nashville-based producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Austin Luther (of Winona Fighter, and owner of her record label, East Music Row Records).
“Austin Luther and I wrote this one alone in his home studio,” Felicity tells Atwood Magazine. “I had bartended until three in the morning the night before and my eyes and soul were hanging out of my head. I was working seven days a week at two restaurants and an office to pay to finish my project and was burnt out in every way. I felt guilty for neglecting certain aspects of my life and those around me that cared for me, and at the time it just felt like there was too damn much going on. The song wrote itself, and we practically had a finished demo the same day.”
To her credit, Felicity does end the song on a hopeful note, closing it out with the line, “I know it’s been a rough night, but after darkness comes the light.” It’s an inkling – a glimmer – of positivity, as much a message to herself as to those listening. And it takes four minutes’ worth of wrestling with one’s demons to get there.
Sorry I just worked the late shift
and I didn’t quite catch the news,
Is another record breaking
or is another criminal
in charge and on the loose?
I didn’t quite catch the news
there’s been a lot going on
And on, and on, and on, and on
An awful lot going on and on,
and on, and on, and on
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party
but what other party could I throw
with the state of the world?
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party
but I’m feeling sorry for you all
for the state of the world
Directed by Asia Whiteacre, the “There’s Been A Lot Going On” allows Felicity to bring her exhaustion to life through vivid complementary visuals. Wearing a vintage double-breasted plaid coat over a black bikini, she emphatically meanders through Nashville’s suburban streets, Trader Joe’s paper bag in hand, later letting her emotions loose in a decked-out backyard complete with a bright pink upright piano (with the words “Sorry” graffitied on its front and sides), an accent chair, a bright green couch, side tables, and multiple lamps. It’s quite the sight to take in, and one befitting the song’s descriptions of emotional turmoil and inner unrest.
“I wanted the music video to really reflect that spiraling emotion of feeling like it’s all too much,” Felicity smiles. “Getting back from a brutal shift and drinking wine on your couch in your undies, all the way to eating bread in the street. Sometimes life can be insane and drive you to insanity in the process. Like if girl dinner met a well-overdue breakdown. That was the vibe.”
Sorry I just paid my taxes
and I haven’t much left to spare
Wanna spend my pennies wisely,
what if I give my two cents and no one cares?
I’ll throw myself down the stairs if I can afford it
yeah, there’s been a lot going on
And on, and on, and on, and on
An awful lot going on and on,
and on, and on, and on
“There’s Been A Lot Going On” is a breathtaking song and music video to behold, and a striking introduction to one of 2024’s undeniable artists to watch.
Stream Felicity’s new song exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and let her captivating depiction of burnout energize, uplift, and inspire you to maybe… rest, relax, take a break, walk around the block, and call a friend!
You Take Me To Dinner But You’ll Never Feed My Soul is out July 19, 2024 via East Music Row Records. Stay tuned for much more soul-stirring music to come from Felicity over the months ahead!
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party
but what other party could I throw
with the state of the world?
And I don’t wanna throw a pity party
but I’m feeling sorry for you all
for the state of the world
I know it’s been a rough night
but after darkness comes the light
— —
:: stream/purchase There’s Been A Lot Going On here ::
:: connect with Felicity here ::
“There’s Been a Lot Going On” – Felicity
— — — —
Connect to Felicity on
Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram
Discover new music on Atwood Magazine
© Taylor Ballantyne
© Taylor Ballantyne:: Stream Felicity ::
