Belgian singer-songwriter Margo Raats’ brand new track, Crying In The Taxi, takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This alt-pop gem is not only a sneak peek into her highly anticipated debut project, Paper Paradise, it’s also a masterclass in how to blend raw emotion with catchy melodies.
Right off the cuff, Raats’ vocal delivery commands your undivided attention. Her voice drips with raw emotion and poignant lyricism, effortlessly drawing you into her introspective narrative. There’s no room for superficiality here; Margo Raats embraces vulnerability and the complexities of human emotion, and her vocal performance proves this.
While the lyrics delve into the heartache of a love gone wrong, the instrumental backdrop is anything but a sombre affair. Raats has skillfully crafted a haunting yet upbeat soundscape, with a diverse range of instruments and electronic embellishments enhancing the emotional depth of the track.
The melancholic melodies intertwine seamlessly with upbeat rhythms, creating a captivating contrast that perfectly mirrors the push-and-pull of emotions explored in the lyrics. Raats’ voice soars over this intricate instrumentation, her emotive delivery breathing life into every word.
As the chorus hits, you can’t help but get swept up in the cathartic release of “Now I’m crying in the taxi, made myself elastic; this time, this time, I think ‘sorry’ lost its meaning, want to, but I don’t believe it.” It’s a moment of raw vulnerability, but the infectious beat and electronic flourishes ensure that you’re dancing through the pain.
Instrumentally, Crying in the Taxi is a glorious fusion of genres, with elements of pop, electronic, and even a hint of indie rock blending together seamlessly. The eclectic mix of sounds perfectly complements Raats’ genre-defying vocal style, creating a truly unique sonic experience.
Heartbreak anthems typically lean towards the overly sentimental or the aggressively angsty; however, Margo Raats does it in her own unique way with Crying in the Taxi.
It’s a track that manages to be both emotionally raw and irresistibly catchy. Speaking on the release, in her own words Margo humbly explains;
“Sometimes I wonder if it would be better if we had a certain amount of I love you’s and sorry’s to give. I think words lose meaning, it’s hard being honest, in a world where no one is pure.
“I’ve learned that love is more than joined shadows on the wall, it takes time to know someone, the better days of us was getting high and getting lost finding concord in the endless in-between.”
Love makes me cry, in a way it also tells me I’m alive. I wanted crying in the taxi to be a celebration of crying and leaning in, that’s our duty on this earth to lean In. I wanted to be able to dance to the sound of letting go.
“Cause this time it’s time.”
Writing songs I often look for answers below the surface and between the lines but not with CITT. It was simple, a change in destination. For everyone who can relate to this, you should be proud + i hope you dance to it too.”
So dive into this song, because Margo Raats is taking you on a journey through the highs and lows of heartbreak, and you’ll be dancing every step of the way.