Gold Baby – Versailles

There’s no doubt that we live in a very strange time right now, with people locked away and split apart all over the world. London-based group Gold Baby have used the lockdown time to create something pertinent and relevant not only to this time of crisis but to all relationships separated by distance, creating the pieces of the track ‘Versailles’ individually and stitching them together for a really moving experience. 

The song follows a relationship that has warped over time, as a close bond has been separated so that now there’s “barbed wire” between them. This is a real message for all of us, which is why it’s come along at just the right time, but the song isn’t all bleak, as the narrator is willing to open conversations once again despite the changes that have happened. Nothing is lost forever, even if the loss feels raw and impossible to overcome.

By the end we’re left with a lovely and mellow guitar and the message that even the smallest steps are progress, as the mere act of opening up a dialogue can work to mend a relationship that has grown apart. There’s no denying that “the future looks bleak”, but at the end of the day that doesn’t change the meaningful connections we’ve all made, and things will get better if we all try.

Sam Bishop