53. Single Review of Lost to London by Taylor D

Originally Published October 14th, 2024

About the Artist

Ireland. As an American who’s never been there, there are certain things that Ireland seems to be known for. Cold rain that will chill you to the bone, rocky oceansides, going to a pub in town to get a pint. Oh, and legendary musicians. We’re not talking about, “Oh, that’s nice.” We are talking about The Cranberries who shook the music industry all the way up to the untimely and tragic death of lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan. We are talking about U2, a band that has found themselves atop the music industry for 40 years and are still going strong. We are talking about the late Sinéad O'Connor who was so adamant about artistic independence, she sacrificed mainstream glorification to have it. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is there is a legacy to uphold to. With a country that has a population just over 5 million people, to produce the talent pool that they do, it is beyond impressive. I imagine that would put a lot of pressure on an independent artist; a challenge that Taylor D wants the world to know she is prepared for. 

Who is she? She is just another musician who is grinding every day to produce her own music, manage her own career, write, perform, and compete to stay relevant in an industry that will change by the time I type this sentence. Except, she is more than just a musician and her grind is an important one to note. It is hard work for an independent artist to get recognition for their work on a national level. You have to be exceptional. In 2023, Taylor D’s debut EP Fan Girl, garnered so much success that it charted at 11 on iTunes and was supported by radio stations internationally, catapulting her career to a phenomenal start. She followed it with the early 2024 release of Can't Say I Love You, which earned stream times on Spotify editorial playlists and, in just 9 months, has earned over 400,000 streams on the world’s most popular music platform. 

Suffice it to say, Taylor D’s work is paying off. But it is nowhere near being finished. She is still doing it on her own. Playing shows, producing her own music videos, and putting out more music like today’s featured single, Lost to London.

About the Song

Lost to London is a pop rock song that was released on October 4th, 2024. With a runtime of a little more than 3 minutes, it is already showing signs of independent success and has the potential of being a commercial breakthrough record, as it has earned nearly 30,000 streams in just 10 days! It features Taylor D’s powerful vocal performance supported by a full band performance. 

About the Music

Lost to London brings us in with an ambient synth, vocals saturated in delay and reverse effects and a solo guitar riff that foreshadows the melodical performance of the leading vocals, which come in shortly after, accompanied by a subtle rhythm electric guitar and a programmed percussion clap. 

As the second half of the first verse comes in, the percussion builds with a kick and snare programmed beat and another supporting rhythm guitar. Just before the first chorus, the band drops out and Taylor’s vocals carry the burden of the transition.

The full band comes right in at the first beat of the chorus with a driving guitar part, slightly distorted, and emphasizing the down beat. Taylor’s vocals are layered, filling the sound space with her very big chorus. 

The second verse leads right back into where the end of the first verse left us, withh a combination of instrumental parts complimenting each other and the vocal performance. 

The second chorus brought as much energy as the first, repeating the resounding performance bringing closure to the impending build of the verse. The chorus is repeated one last time, with the band dropping for the first half of the chorus, bringing emphasis to the lead vocals, then coming back in for the second half, fulfilling a very satisfying build and ending the song on a very high note.

About the Lyrics

The lyrics tell a story of heartbreak where our narrator is speaking to the memory and thoughts of her subject as if he were there, but he has yet to arrive. It sounds like maybe they’re reconnecting from a substantial period of time where they have been physically apart. It’s unclear if the reunion is a romantic one or a courteous one. “It’s a Saturday night. I’m waiting for you to arrive. It’s been so long since we last spoke. I’m kinda scared I’m starting to lose hope.” The first verse further elaborates on this concept.

The chorus starts with the same sentiment, with the narrator detailing their heartache, but there is a clever wordplay in the latter half of the chorus, “And they same that home is wherever the heart is but that home doesn’t feel like mine. Because although I live in Dublin, I lost my heart in London.” I like the excellent spin on the “home is where the heart is cliche.” I love when a lyricist can bring an original spin to a common phrase like Taylor D has done here.

Lyrically, this is a very endearing song that left me feeling like I was rooting for the two romantics to reconnect with one another. It is very well written, provides a detailed narration that envelops the listener, leaving them invested in the hopefulness of the outcome.

Final Thoughts

After listening to this song and her previous work, I believe Taylor D is doing everything right. Her conviction to her career is starting to show signs that it will pay off. Her music is marketable; her performance and writing techniques are strong, the production value is superb, and it is trending with what is successfully being done in popular music today. Her music is relatable and people are noticing. 

With already mounting success, Taylor D is an artist that shows she is not only capable to crossing into mainstream success, she is well on her way! Be sure to check her out on instagram, Threads, and YouTube, as well as her other social media platforms!