Changing Trains: “Gathering The Sunlight” – an effortless amalgamation of influences

Changing Trains is an independent rock band from Limerick City, Ireland. They are Paul O’Riordan (Songwriter), Hannah O’Brien (Vocals), David Carroll (Drums), Rob Carey (Bass), Podge O’Donoghue (violin) and Ronan Murphy (Lead Guitar). Their debut album ‘Theory of Everything’ was released in 2015. “Gathering The Sunlight” is the new radio edit single, taken from the same album. Changing Trains’ technical skill and ability to craft all-embracing songs is borderline genius.

The flitting nuances and subtleties seem to come not just from musicians who love music and can sing and play, but those who have deeply lived and breathed music their entire lives as well as exposed to an incredible range of music from birth.

Thus the music has an organic and effortless appeal despite the many disparate tones which belies the tremendous talent it takes to create songs like theirs. Musically, “Gathering The Sunlight” really surprised me as it manages to both be almost immediately accessible as well as satisfying with real weight.

If you asked me to outright define Changing Trains sound, the best I could do is throw a bunch words out there and hope a few stick. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard such an effortless amalgamation of influences turned into one compelling and consistent feel. I realize I’m gushing about this band, but their obvious passion paired with the breadth of their musical soundscapes make them the type of artists that I’m sure we’ll still be hearing new music from, 20 years from now.

The uplifting pulsing beat and guitars in this song are so relaxing yet inspiring. The singing is brightly melodic and heavenly, with layered harmonies adding even more ariose to the atmosphere. There is something just majestic about this song, and the video clip really suits the feel of the track too.

Changing Trains prove that popular music doesn’t mean dumb or derivative despite the majority of the tripe put out by their peers. Wildly unique and catchy, “Gathering The Sunlight” just gets better with every listen.

The band has somehow managed to encapsulate the sunny, radically happy specter of life and love into this fizzy and enchanting anthem of wishful thinking. In a music industry dominated by chauvinistic philanderers and chintzy temptresses, Changing Trains really impress me with their mature, thoughtful, yet playful music on “Gathering The Sunlight”.

There are plenty of hooks and harmonies for those of you who’ve been missing some positive tunes in recent music history. All backed by a band that delivers a flawless performance supported by a richly textured sound.

And let’s be honest, when last have you seen a fully dressed woman as fascinatingly alluring as Hannah O’Brien? I sincerely urge all current pop music divas to kindly put their clothes back on and watch the video clip of “Gathering The Sunlight” by Changing Trains – especially the timeframe between 2:30 and 2:46, to fully understand the meaning of the word ‘captivating’.

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