Darla Jade is one of the busiest people I know. Week on week, the 24-year-old travels up and down the country, spending her days in and out of sessions, networking, as well as showing her support for other artists, all whilst trying to maintain her personal relationships and have some normality.
Her latest single, Buy More Time, addresses the daily hustle to make her independent and self-funded music career a reality, while maintaining a long-distance relationship.
Speaking more in depth about the release, the Bradeley-born singer explained: “It’s written around the concept of wishing I could buy more time with my partner, as I don’t get to see him as often as I would like due to us living across the country, so it’s definitely a song for all the couples out there that are in middle/long distance relationships.”
Derek Bremner
Around the time of writing the track, Darla had watched the film ‘In Time’, written and directed by Andrew Niccol, which depicts time as currency, a concept she found ‘really fascinating’. This formed the foundation for the electro-pop hit, which is one I think really resonates with listeners who will relate intimately with the record, from those seeking more time on this earth for themselves, or yearning for more time with passed relatives.
Of course, it’s not the first time the artist has referenced a movie in her music, with Glitch in the Matrix, written about when her younger brother was diagnosed with a tumour on his lung.
Darla has an aptitude for capturing emotions surrounding often difficult topics and pairing them with bright and poppy 80s synth hooks and pumping them full of hope – her musical expression forming the light at the end of the tunnel – and Buy More Time is no different.
Co-written and produced by Josh Noble and Karl Ziegler, the dance-y number sees Darla’s vocals delicate and fierce in equal measure, with effortless lyrics and fun-filled melodies that make for a chart-worthy hit.
Derek Bremner
I’ve been saying for a long time that Darla’s singles could seamlessly slot into the top 10 in the Official Singles Charts, her style somewhere between Ellie Goulding, Halsey and Gayle. Buy More Time feels more determined than ever to propel the artist into the spotlight.
The multi-talented performer has previously garnered support from BBC Radio One with tracks from her previous two EPs, the latest of which she was able to record a live version of at Metropolis Studios earlier this year after winning the Amazon Music UK’s Breakthrough Booth competition at The Great Escape Festival in 2022.
But aside from her own artist project, the sought-after songwriter regularly pens lyrics for other artists and has her vocals featured on records that amount to 54 million global streams. From Gorgon City to BLOND:ISH, Darla’s voice has been heard at festivals and club dance floors across the world. I think that’s why now, more than ever, I’m rooting to see her solo work get the recognition it so richly deserves.
Released on May 17, 2023, Buy More Time is a thought-provoking pinning down of emotion with an infectious pop sound that will have you reaching straight for the repeat button. Listen to the track below, and catch Darla headling The Werkroom as part of Your City Festival in Hanley this May Bank Holiday.
Read more:
- Gallery: Darla Jade at The Rose and Crown, Biddulph Moor
- Nothing Can Kill My Love for Don’t Call Me Ishmael’s latest single
- Hell hath no fury like Kira Mac’s rock n roll single Scorned
