The Secret to Life
2023 studio album by Fizz
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The Secret to Life is the debut studio album by British indie pop supergroup Fizz, released on 27 October 2023 by Decca Records and Universal Music Group.
| The Secret to Life | |
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| Studio album by | |
| Released | 27 October 2023 |
| Studio | Middle Farm (South Devon, England) |
| Length | 38:21 |
| Label | |
| Producer |
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| Singles from The Secret to Life | |
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Recording
The Secret to Life was recorded over a two-week period at Middle Farm Studios in South Devon, a residential recording studio in South Devon owned by producer Peter Miles.[1][2] Orla Gartland's debut studio album Woman on the Internet was recorded at the same studio in October 2020. In the production of The Secret to Life, the band bypassed many production tools commonly used in contemporary pop music and relied on real instruments and recording live takes of songs directly onto tape. This approach, as discussed in interviews, imparts a nostalgic quality reminiscent of the music of the 1960s and 1970s.[3][4] The group chose to record communally with four microphones simultaneously recording in one room rather than with separate booths.[5]
Composition
The Secret to Life is primarily an indie pop record with focus on varied instrumentalisation and harmonised vocals. On the "theatricality" of the album, Fizz said they took influence from 1970s and 80s bands like Queen and Jellyfish in addition to more contemporary acts like The Last Dinner Party.[6] "Strawberry Jam" is a psychedelic pop track that takes influence from The Beatles. It is an ode to the pleasures of afternoon tea.[1] "Rocket League" was written about Martin Brown's addiction to the video game Rocket League.[1] "Hell of a Ride" is a track about existential dread about getting older while "the world is burning down around you is even scarier" according to Fizz.[7] It was written in Los Angeles.
"As Good As It Gets" explores aspects of the female experience such as "being told to smile, of being interrupted and cut across, patronising tones and having your space invaded" according to Fizz.[8] Brown decided to take a step back from vocal duties on the track to allow more space for the three female members of Fizz, and Soren Bryce, to be in control of crafting the track. The four women say that singing together and being able to share their experiences on the track felt "like opening a valve after years of built up pressure and tension" which had a "cathartic and healing" quality.[9]
Closing track "The Grand Finale" was heavily influenced by Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" through shifting to multiple chapters.[5]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| DIY | [11] |
| The Irish Times | [12] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[13] |
Critical reception of The Secret to Life was generally positive. The album was praised for its distinctive sound, vocals, and emotive lyrics,[14][15][16] but was also described as occasionally cliché.[17]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Fizz, Peter Miles and Mathew Swales, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A New Phase Awaits You :-)" | N/A | 1:08 | |
| 2. | "The Secret to Life" | Brown, Clark, Gartland, Isaac | 2:52 | |
| 3. | "High in Brighton" | Gartland, Brown, Isaac, Clark | 2:51 | |
| 4. | "Strawberry Jam" | Gartland | 4:35 | |
| 5. | "Close One" | Gartland | 3:55 | |
| 6. | "I Just Died" | Clark | 3:36 | |
| 7. | "Rocket League" | Brown | 0:51 | |
| 8. | "Hell of a Ride" | Brown, Gartland | 2:59 | |
| 9. | "As Good as It Gets" | Isaac | 2:44 | |
| 10. | "You, Me, Lonely" |
| Clark | 3:40 |
| 11. | "Lights Out" | Isaac, Brown | 3:46 | |
| 12. | "The Grand Finale" | Brown, Clark, Gartland, Isaac | 5:23 | |
| Total length: | 38:21 | |||
Personnel
Fizz
- Greta Isaac – lead and backing vocals; acoustic and electric guitars; percussion
- Martin Luke Brown – lead and backing vocals; acoustic guitar; piano; electric piano, organ; percussion
- Dodie – lead and backing vocals; electric guitar; clarinet; synthesizer; piano; percussion
- Orla Gartland – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass; percussion
Additional musicians
- Peter Miles – bass; electric guitar; synthesizer
- Mathew Swales – drums; percussion; tom drum
- Soren Bryce – vocals; bass; percussion
- Dan Hillman – baritone saxophone
- Simon Dobson – trumpet
Production
- Peter Miles – producer; mixing
- Fizz – producer
- Matt Huber – mixing
- Soren Bryce – assistant engineer
- Kevin Tuffy – mastering