Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Notting Hill by Rachael Coltrona
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
Rachael Coltrona’s new single, Notting Hill, taps into personal loss and emerges with a certain pop elegance. Picture this: Coltrona, stood up on a blind date in London, finds herself wandering into the famous bookstore from Notting Hill. It’s cinematic irony at its finest, and Coltrona turns this moment of defeat into a narrative that’s both intimate and expansive. The song opens and leads us straight into the verses, a pop-friendly melodies layered with an atmospheric background. An electric piano introduces recurring motifs, creating a melancholic yet luminous atmosphere, with a haunting synth hook weaving through the arrangement. Coltrona’s pre-chorus builds subtly, her voice carrying the song’s narrative weight. When the chorus hits, it’s her voice and the melodic choices that stand out. The chorus is followed by a keyboard riff, and a synth arpeggio provides a rhythmic backbone throughout the track. The second verse and pre-chorus return, reinforcing the song’s hooks.
The bridge offers a near-spoken refrain, adding a unique texture before the final chorus, which wraps up in a surprising yet fitting way. The lyrics, written during a moment of introspection, capture the essence of finding hope and resilience in unexpected places. ‘I’ve always loved Notting Hill and discovering that bookstore during a difficult moment was like a scene from the movie come to life,’ Coltrona shares. ‘It reminded me that sometimes, being stood up or facing a setback can lead to beautiful and unexpected opportunities, so much so I went back to London and made my video right in the same bookstore as the movie.’ The song’s narrative is rich with this kind of serendipity. Coltrona’s words resonate with anyone who’s ever found themselves at a low point, only to stumble upon something unexpectedly uplifting. It’s the classic tale of turning lemons into lemonade, but without the saccharine gloss.
Her lyrics are grounded, reflective, and keenly observant, capturing the nuances of finding light in the darkest of times. Notting Hill is a solid addition to Coltrona’s repertoire, not because it seeks to dazzle with grandiosity, but because it finds strength in its subtlety. The song shows her ability to transform personal experiences into something that resonates universally.
