Peter Wilson and Sean Smith - Verona

****1/2

Epic dramatic tune

You know that a track is good, when on first listen you find yourself humming it...  for me when I do this I'd know it's a piece of Pop perfection. The track is instinctively dramatic in many ways,  with both Peter Wilson and Sean Smith’s vocals blending together... different but the same at the same time... and both beautiful. The pair harmonise together so well, that you truly appreciate the partnership between them, and both of their personalities shine threw. The track is a beautiful blend of strings and 80’s synths which build up over the three minutes of the track. You wouldn’t be blamed in thinking that this track, is a cover which had originated in the early 80’s. With a sound that could compete with classic singles like 'Vienna' by Ultravox, you know they are on to something great. I still can't believe that 'Vienna' never got to number one, being beaten by 'Shut up your Face' by Joe Dolce... a truly horrible track.

The track however was originally performed by Koit Toome and Laura who represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, and this version doesn’t sound a million miles away from Peter and Sean version though. But the difference between the two is that, they have sprinkled gold dust on their version. And take this into mind again when listening to it, that this could have easily be mistaken as a single from 1983 like I said before. This song is really has sublime production, and is one of the best I have ever heard from Energise., well done team, you really are producing some incredible stuff of lately and I can't wait to hear your next tracks. 

If you didn’t know, Peter Wilson, he is an Australian Singer / Songwriter who released his first single 'I wanna Dance', way back in 1994. He is now on his seventh studio album, which this duet is lifted from. You may know Sean Smith as one half of Same Difference, the brother / sister duo mentored by Simon Cowell on X Factor. Sean Smith has been doing it alone since the release of his debut single 'Turn me On' released in 2017. The pairing an ingenious move from both the label and management works well on 'Verona' with the release coming with a well endowed package of mixes which will cater for any poppet purist. You can step back in time with the Sakgra PW Elle mix, with the Stock Aitken Waterman connoisseur in me, it’s easy for me to identify the idea behind this SAW sounding escapade... with its gyrating vocals showered across it.

Further mixes include a stand out for me with its Retro Pop style once again, Retroteque 80’s mixes brings though a more dark and Synth 80’s style, think 'Relax' without the banned video. Matt Pop works continue to shine as always and polishes any loose ends this package requires. This remix ties together all missing parts, its current yet Retro and breezes with less dramatics but more drama the only way Matt can deliver it across five danceable minutes. The single itself for me is complete and far better than I had originally expected, which is always a good thing. Buy, download, stream, its tracks like this we need more of in the charts. Summer in a suntan lotion bottle, shake it, squeeze it, and make sure you use it...enjoy.

Review by Mario Kyriacou

Listen! to the Track for 'Verona' Below...