Produced by rising Decca Records star Rhys Lewis, ‘Superficial’ sounds like the brainchild of Nile Rodgers and Sade scoring a Boogie Nights sequel. Managing to tactfully balance its glossy velvet-toned nostalgic influences with a raw and stripped-back production approach, ‘Superficial’ sees Tommy Down analysing the psychological perils of a generation addicted to selfies and social media. It’s all captured in the contradiction at the heart of its narrative: guy judges girl for taking a selfie with him, yet harbours a desire to see himself tagged in it the next day.
Ultimately ‘Superficial’ navigates the complex, maddening, and circular logic of technological overthink by asking us if we’re even perhaps a little attracted to the idea of our own narcissism. Maybe the fact that we go into these things ambivalently makes us more woke anyhow? It’s three minutes of clever, concise and thought-provoking pop that puts Down both sonically and lyrically on a standout path. With Tommy starring as himself and his own conscience, alongside live bandmate and Cold Feet actress Sylvie Briggs, and Raffy Ellison, the accompanying video, (directed by Toby Harris), is a colourful, slick and tongue-in-cheek dramatisation of the lyrics.
Social media
https://www.facebook.com/Tommy-Down-138191366266833/
https://soundcloud.com/nii-amar-children
https://www.instagram.com/tommydownmusic/