The single from Ivory Lake, “Reckless Enough To Be Free,” is that kind of song that surprises you—infecting your senses bit by bit with its catchy energy, then wrapping you within the raw emotion. High-energy indie-pop, which sets you flying high yet introspective at the same time, well out of a track that has you swaying one minute and reflecting on your life’s journey the next.
Joshua Watts, the man behind Ivory Lake, bleeds his heart out onto every second of this track. His tender vocal style leads the way atop a lush, sweeping production that’s both intimate and expansive. Delicate, his voice is, drawing you into the tale of missed opportunities, disillusionment, and the courage it takes to break free from life’s limitations. The lyrics might dance chivalrously around dark motifs, but the upbeat rhythms and ethereal melodies keep you hooked on a perfect contrast that irresistibly becomes the bittersweet taste of their sound.
What really works with “Reckless Enough To Be Free” is how it balances melancholy with hope. Haunting melodies peek through the weight of self-reflection, while the beat pulsates to push you forward—like a light jab to remind you that, really, freedom is within.
It’s one of those tracks that invites the mind to face what’s been left behind but also simultaneously press on toward something greater. You feel that tug back, looking back and reaching forward, and Ivory Lake captures that emotional duality in ways that can feel deeply personal.
As has been the case with much of Joshua’s songwriting to date, it’s resplendent with beautifully nihilistic undertones—he weaves stories of sun, sea, and the silent struggles of modern life: depression, screen addiction, the isolating symptoms one feels in a hyper-connected world. And yet, for all the weight of those themes, the song feels light upon its feet. Those soaring choruses, shimmering production, elevate the track to something more—something that feels reflective, and yet liberating.
Ivory Lake is an exploration into the polarity of life: light and dark, joy and sorrow, freedom and restraint. Joshua Watts applies an honesty to his solo work, hard to discover after having toured the world over as a drummer for Geoff Tate for many years. He has lived both highs and lows of a life on the road, and you can hear that experience in threads of his music.
“Reckless Enough To Be Free” is one of those songs that manages to stay with you long after it is over. Whether grooving to the uptempo indie pop melodies or getting lost in the reflective lyrics, something about this track will appeal to anyone. Ivory Lake once again weaves a single that is both about personal freedom and everything that holds us back. Such a journey is well worth taking.
You can find more of Ivory Lake at:
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You can listen to “Reckless Enough To Be Free” below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.