Track By Track: Victory Lap - 'Torch Songs'
Nottingham’s very own Victory Lap have just released their debut EP ‘Torch Songs’ – which sees them putting together an era-blend of golden age sounds if it was thrown into the 21st century. Victory Lap burst onto the scene in the spring with irresistible debut effort ‘Jealousy’ and recent thrilling follow-up ‘Sincerely Yours’, generating plenty of fanfare in the process.
They took a moment to talk to us about the EP – track by track.
Jealousy
This track was first written in the early days of the band, and it very much set the creative direction for the rest of the record. Tom and I have always been big fans of Timber Timbre and contemporary crooners like Richard Hawley and Edwyn Collins, and the moment we began experimenting with the doo-wop piano motif, we knew we were onto something special. Lyrically, the song’s narrative is quite self-explanatory, but I think what gives the song such atmosphere are the little love-hazed vignettes created in each line. I think this is what makes the song so tantalising and relatable; the lovelorn stories we compose in our heads when enticed by a love that is unrequited.
Sincerely, Yours
The first time I heard Tom sing the lyric ‘I locked my heart to that coded safe,’ I vividly imagined a 'Natural Born Killers/Bonnie and Clyde' crime-romance drama. This imagery became the foundation for the rest of the song, allowing us to write from various perspectives and explore emotions and situations beyond our daily experiences. I'm particularly proud of the arrangement of this track. It perfectly contrasts the lyrics, which describe a fast-paced, hectic life on the run, with slow-burn, waltz-like instrumentation. I feel in some ways this juxtaposition creates a unique harmony between two extremes, forming its own kind of love story.
Going Steady
For me, this song is our attempt at crafting an alt-country folk tune with a touch of Lynchian surrealism. Tom has always been fascinated by ancient Roman and Greek mythology, and I believe his interest in Homer's Odyssey and the story of the Sirens influenced his creation of a surrealist tale about a sailor’s love affair with a mermaid. Like all folk songs, there's an underlying moral to the story. To me, it suggests that even though the romance is impossible, the relationship between the characters brings them a sense of purpose and joy, making life feel more vibrant and meaningful.
Faults To The Silver Screen
Unlike the rest of the EP, this track focuses on self-reflection and self-love rather than the dynamics of a specific relationship. The narrator exposes their flaws and complexities, grappling with inner demons in an attempt to come to terms with their shortcomings. The music mirrors this inner turmoil and growing self-awareness, with each instrument joining in as the character uncovers new realisations. However, the song ends on a knife-edge, with the character uncertain whether their quest for self-improvement will ever truly lead to happiness. I often think of it as a Sopranos-esque story of an anti-hero; despite Tony’s best efforts to become a good person, it’s his darker side that enthrals us to keep watching.
