"River" is a song by Australian electronic trio Pnau and New Zealand electropop singer-songwriter, Ladyhawke and released on 11 December 2020.[1]
| "River" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Pnau and Ladyhawke | ||||
| from the album Hyperbolic | ||||
| Released | 11 December 2020 | |||
| Length | 3:21 | |||
| Label | Etcetc | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Pnau | |||
| Pnau singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Ladyhawke singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "River" on YouTube | ||||
At the AIR Awards of 2021, the song was nominated for Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single.[2]
At the APRA Music Awards of 2022, the song was nominated for Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work.[3]
Background and release edit
From 2004-2007, Pnau's Nick Littlemore and Phillipa "Pip" Brown (later known as Ladyhawke) formed the art rock and dance band Teenager.[4] The band was a side-project for Littlemore who was part of Sydney dance music trio, Pnau.
In 2007, Ladyhawke provided uncredited vocals on the song "Embrace" which was released in June 2008 as the third and final single from the Pnau's third studio album, Pnau. "Embrace" peaked at number 55 on the ARIA Charts.[5] Pnau and Ladyhawke did not collaborate with each between 2007 and 2020.[6]
In 2020, Pnau approached Ladyhawke to work together again on something new.[7] In working with Ladyhawke once again, Pnau's Nick Littlemore said "It seems every time we've collaborated with her it's been incendiary. We met a long while ago; within moments of meeting it was clear we had a deep connection. This tune is a combination of Ladyhawke's brilliance and the inspiring work of Sam and Peter. I really believe this song is the living proof of magic; all the elements coming together just right. I hope with all sincerity that you experience the joy we did in making it."[8][9]
Ladyhawke's said "I've always had a unique connection with Nick Littlemore so knew whatever we made would be special. I remember standing in Nick's LA home studio screaming into a microphone being egged on by him yelling 'Louder!!!!' so I could get the 'Riveerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr' just right! I love this track and am very excited to be involved."[7][8][9]
Reception edit
Claire Bracken from ABC said "'River' flows like a dream straight into the bassline of your brain" ending their review saying "Get ready dance floors, this track is coming for you."[8]
The Music called the song "a homage to PNAU's roots in the rave and progressive scenes of the late '90s and 2000s" calling the song "Another Banger."[7]
Hayden Davis from Pilerats called it "one of the brightest songs of the year (and a latecomer for the year's most infectious)".[10]
Track listings edit
Digital download
- "River" – 3:20
Digital download
- "River" (Tobiahs remix) – 5:03
Digital download
- "River" (Jack Burton remix) – 5:26
Charts edit
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] | 31 |
References edit
- ^ "River - single". Apple Music (AU). Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards". The Industry Observer. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "About Ladyhawke". Brit Awards (British Phonographic Industry). 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "ARIA report Issue 966" (PDF). ARIA. 1 September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ "PNAU and Ladyhawke link up for energetic new track "River"". NME. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ a b c "LISTEN: PNAU Have Reunited With Ladyhawke for Another Banger". TheMusic AU. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ a b c Bracken, Claire (11 December 2020). "First Spin: PNAU and Ladyhawke flow with "River"". ABC. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Pnau reunite with Ladyhawke and Wash Away 2020". amnplify. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "PNAU's new single with Ladyhawke, "River", is a latecomer for the year's biggest banger". pilerats. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.