Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Why by Castle Hughes
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
Emerging singer-songwriter Castle Hughes is steadily and assuredly redefining her folk-pop style, releasing several singles—five including the new one Why—all revealing an artist developing, evolving, and generally becoming the confident musician one hears on this latest track. The Western Australian music artist has consistently showcased her vocal prowess and reflective lyricism, and Why is a stirring example. Fresh off her laudatory recognition with the 2022 City of Stirling Best Youth Act WAM Award, Castle’s musical story began when she, at a mere sixteen, the first of these singles, Moving On, was released.
This debut resonated with critics and fans alike, earning a coveted nomination for the WAM Song of the Year Award in its age bracket. The accolades didn’t stop there; Castle’s notable talents propelled her to finalist standing in the UK Songwriting Contest, and a semi-finalist spot in the 2021 WA Listen Up Music Songwriting Prize. Her triumph in the CALM Youth Week Songwriting Competition and a nomination for the International Songwriting Awards – Teen category further accentuate her prodigious talent. 2022 amplified Castle’s presence with the release of resonant tracks Fairplay and Warning, shows at the Rosemount Hotel with Claudia Tripp and celebrated appearances at the Indian Ocean Hotel and The Bird.
Why will be launched at the Rosemount four5nine on the 28th of September 2023. Why begins with an acoustic guitar-based chord progression and accompanying introductory textures and sonic swells. From here, we are treated to an organic soundscape, at times spare and spacious, fittingly allowing us to take in Castle’s lyrics—personal and direct yet fused to a metaphoric bent, evoking a kind of cessation of time which is aligned with the central narrative. Lines such as, ‘Will I find you up in sunsets / Will I find you on the breeze / The mellow hum of running water / A willie wagtail in a tree’, attest not only to Castle’s observational skills but an awareness that merging the two, the musical with the visual, create a sustained and strong base around which to place her melodic inventions and consistently expressive vocal performances.
