Tenderness releases third single ‘The Salt Flats’ from upcoming debut album ‘True’
Tenderness — AKA Katy Beth Young — has shared the latest single from their upcoming debut album, ‘True’.
Photo: Press
Young’s new solo project, Tenderness, was born out of a tough set of circumstances: the recent pandemic, a cancelled tour, a break-up, and the loss of her father. During this time, Young began to write new songs in her North London living room.
On this period, she describes, “I was having a hard old time, but it was also strangely beautiful. There’s something about that space of grief that is very tender. There was a lot of sadness, but also a sweetness and openness to the world. You feel things deeply, but you’re also gentle with people.” From this, Young produced a series of demos, which have now transformed into a collection of songs that will form her upcoming debut, True.
The Salt Flats is a gentle, nostalgic song about trying to hold onto good moments. It follows the release of singles We’ll Always Have Paris 1919 and Database Blues.
The track opens with a rich riff that continues to travel through the song, reminiscent of nineties Yo La Tengo, coupled with a country-esque guitar rhythm. The song also features backing vocals contributed by Young’s two friends, Benjamin Gregory and Martha Rose, the latter of whom’s apartment she was staying in, in Berlin, when she finished writing the song.
There is a distinct bittersweetness to Young’s thoughtful lyrics on the The Salt Flats. She reminisces about leaving the landscape of the city, drinking cokes and smoking packs of cigarettes. When the chorus arrives, Young sings, “You got a good feeling / But it was gone by the evening”.
On the single, Young explains, “Joy, peace, adoration, they’re all very slippery emotions. The song lives in the moment of gentle panic — the good feeling, already leaving.” The song, therefore, occupies a space that is both joyous yet melancholic, at ease yet panicked.
The Salt Flats is an exciting new instalment to her debut, True, set to be released on March 13th via Amorphous Sounds. In the build-up, Tenderness will be touring the UK, starting in Brighton on January 20th with further dates in London, Manchester, Birmingham and York.
See Tenderness live:
20 Jan - Brighton, Hope & Ruin w/ Jeffrey Martin
21 Jan - London, Bush Hall w/ Jeffrey Martin
22 Jan - Manchester, YES w/ Jeffrey Martin
23 Jan - Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge w/ Jeffrey Martin
24 Jan - York, Bluebird Bakery w/ Jeffrey Martin [SOLD OUT]
18 March - London, St Pancras Old Church
