Earlier this yr, London’s West Finish stated a tragic farewell to Why Am I Single? – the newest musical from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, also referred to as the multi-award-winning duo behind the worldwide phenomenon Six.
The era-defining Olivier-nominated musical follows two writers known as Oliver and Nancy who’re struggling to jot down a second musical, whist additionally navigating the ups and downs of their courting lives within the period of courting apps.
Full of popular culture and musical theatre references (together with a protracted working Oliver! gag), relatable tales about courting and life experiences, and an distinctive solid, Why Am I So Single? proved to be a life-affirming musical which gave the West Finish a brand new lease of life. The present additionally gained a robust cult following due to its working themes of affection, friendship, gender and identification, with many individuals being left upset by the present’s early closure.
Nonetheless, the unbelievable authentic London solid recording has lastly been launched and is offered to obtain on streaming platforms proper now! Whereas a number of of the fan favorite demos have been accessible to stream for a while, that is the primary time that every one songs (in addition to a number of sensational extras) have been launched in order that followers can relive the magic of the present at residence.
The solid and inventive group celebrated the album launch with a glitzy social gathering final night time (March 13) at Earth Kitchen, Hackney, with a beautiful countdown to the discharge at midnight. Earlier within the night, main stars Jo Foster, Leesa Tulley and Noah Thomas handled the viewers to a four-track efficiency of a few of the songs, adopted by a Q&A with creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Because the clock struck midnight, the dance ground became an enormous singalong of the album tracks – the right strategy to have a good time this momentous event!
Whether or not you’ve seen the musical or not, the unique London solid recording of Why Am I So Single? completely encapsulates the enjoyment and chaos of courting life by fusing quite a lot of musical genres with intelligent and witty lyrics. This isn’t your normal musical – in actual fact, it’s a pop hybrid with components of disco, rock/pop punk, rap, and jazz. Switching seamlessly from big bangers to heartfelt ballads, this album is designed to make you cackle, cringe, cry and confess your love in your bestie.
Opening with the Prologue, main into title monitor Why Am I So Single?, this units the tone for the recording as Oliver and Nancy (performed by Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley) try to work out why on earth they’re and not using a vital different. Laced with hilarious play on phrases and a Six nod (the opposite Boleyn woman), the monitor sums up the troubles of contemporary courting completely.
That is adopted by the infectious 8 Dates, which went viral on TikTok and is well one of many largest earworms on the recording. Detailing Oliver’s current courting app experiences, Jo shares all of the feelings that may too acquainted for anybody who’s ever used an app – from the hope and pleasure, to the utter disappointment and frustration. 8 Dates can be the start of a run of absolute bops on the recording…
Firstly, the 00’s pop-punk emo anthem I Bought Off The Airplane, which particulars the affect that Mates and Ross and Rachel’s “will they, received’t they” relationship had on society. That is adopted by the distinctive C U By no means, led by Noah Thomas as Artie, as he and Leesa’s Nancy break down the expertise of being hyper fixated on situationships and shedding the power to speak correctly. Anybody who was fortunate sufficient to catch the musical on the Garrick Theatre would have seen the solid show some fancy faucet dancing abilities, and you may nonetheless really feel the fierce power on the recording. Noah is incredible on the monitor as Artie tries to knock some sense into his good friend.
Subsequent up is a private favorite, Meet Market. A hilarious but relatable providing, this monitor might be fairly traumatic for anybody who’s ever used a courting app. The tune’s intro options a few of the most recognisable quotes from the apps, together with “journey lover”, “I like pineapple on pizza” and males mendacity about their top. The monitor takes a flip as Oliver and Nancy charge one another’s profiles, earlier than exploring a few of the (fairly frankly terrifying) individuals who have swiped proper on them. The tune is chaotic, altering tempo at each flip, nonetheless, this sums up your entire Hinge/Bumble/Tinder expertise.
After plenty of excessive tempo songs, we gradual issues down with the sultry Shhh!!!, the place Oliver sings about the kind of males they entice together with those that act like they’re non-existent. While the Marilyn Monroe-esque jazz vibes are intoxicating and laced with humour, the monitor is tinged with disappointment because the character believes that that is what they deserve, when this couldn’t be farther from the reality.
That is adopted by an enormous energy ballad known as Simply In Case, the place Nancy explains that she’s very a lot hung up on her ex (aka THE ex), and could be able to drop every part if he got here knocking. Leesa’s highly effective vocals are showcased completely all through the monitor, with the Scotswoman pouring her coronary heart and soul into the storytelling behind the tune.
Creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss are finest recognized for Six and you may really feel the affect of the musical all through elements of Why Am I So Single?, most notably throughout Interlude in B Minor which is harking back to the chaos of Haus of Holbein. The tune is made up of interpolations of the earlier tracks, with Oliver and Nancy battling a bee within the flat. Sure, this sounds weird out of context however it was equally as baffling on the West Finish stage. Nonetheless, there’s little question that the tune is extremely catchy and one of the vital memorable tracks on the recording.
Golf equipment Wonderful Golf equipment sees Artie reminisce on the primary time he met Oliver and Nancy, with everybody remembering occasions in very alternative ways. Not solely is the monitor’s title a play on Meals Wonderful Meals from Oliver!, that is the place we see Oliver and Nancy’s friendship blossom as they uncover that they’re each superfans of the basic musical.
That is adopted by the ukelele-laced No Query, which is a mild providing which units the tone for one of many highlights of the album – Disco Ball. Jo Foster is an absolute sensation on this electrical disco-tinged anthem and you may really feel their power and emotion changing into extra frantic and determined because the tune progresses. This was an enormous standout second every night time on the Garrick, and Jo deserves their flowers for this tune alone.
The temper is lightened a bit on Males R Trash, because the pair come to the realisation that the explanation they’re single is as a result of males are pure rubbish. Subsequent up is the Simply In Case – Reprise, which cleverly combines components of the melodies of Simply In Case and Disco Ball and is the start of an emotional part of the present as Oliver and Nancy come head to head with their feelings. Misplaced is a beautiful ballad sung by Leesa, as she explores Nancy’s grief of shedding her father, while Why Am I Nonetheless Reprising? sees the pair validate their love for one another.
As they arrive to the realisation that every one they want is one another, the soundtrack involves an finish with the euphoric Higher Off Love Story. Detailing the significance of friendship, it is a beautiful ode to the facility of platonic relationships and sums up the connection of your entire solid. Throughout the course of it’s very clear that the solid has constructed a magical reference to one another, and while Why Am I So Single? has completed for now, the solid recording actually is their very personal joyful ever after.
The album additionally contains two very particular additions. First off, is an prolonged model of Males R Trash which options the long-lasting Patti LuPone from the Broadway Revival Forged of Oliver! (which is referenced within the present itself). Patti elevates the already good monitor, including her powerhouse vocals and humour to the tune.
To shut off the recording, Jordan Cambridge-Taylor and Collette Guitart (the alternate Oliver and Nancy) get their likelihood to shine with another model of Simply In Case. While you may anticipate big vocals, that is actually not the Simply In Case we’re used to. As an alternative, the monitor has been became an ode to Oliver! which is extremely intelligent and permits Jordan and Collette to showcase their delectable vocals.
Why Am I Single? is certain to thrill musical and pop music lovers alike, and we actually hope that the discharge of the unique solid recording will imply that there’ll be additional life this present someday. Please Sir, can we’ve got some extra?!
Stream the unique London solid recording of Why Am I So Single? right here.
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