Too Far Gone Saint Sappho

Saint Sappho release double single Too Far Gone/Fade Away on Optimo Music Rocks

Glasgow duo Saint Sappho mark their first release on Optimo Music’s new Optimo Music Rocks imprint with the double single release of ‘Too Far Gone’ and ‘Fade Away’. These two expansive, stirring tracks see the rising two-piece continue to put their own captivating spin on the heyday sounds of shoegaze, grunge and 90s Britpop.

With rich symphonic strings, skyward-soaring guitars and classic alt-rock textures, ‘Too Far Gone’ sees Saint Sappho – aka multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Zoe Young and drummer Tammy Dyson – powerfully unfurl the emotive, atmospheric heft that has characterised their impressive output to date.

‘Too Far Gone’ is a deeply personal song, with lyrics depicting the reality of human deterioration – the fading of someone close to you and changes in personality beyond recognition – in a form of both celebration and lament.

‘Fade Away’, meanwhile, is a slow-burning ballad that envelopes acoustic guitar in powerful percussion, fiery electric guitar embellishments and Young’s sublimely compelling vocal. The heart-on-sleeve lyrics lay emotions bare; the sonic landscape evokes 90s touchstones in the vein of The Verve and Mazzy Star.

Looking towards the personal and idiosyncratic moments of life is a practice that underscores Saint Sappho’s songwriting, which across their previous work has yielded moving reflections on topics including secret lesbian clubs of London, meditation sessions and the pain of loss.

Combined with their innate ability to construct sepia-tinted songs that thread together both nostalgia and youthful reverie, and the kind of euphoric choruses that conjure wide-screen cinematics, Saint Sappho’s alt-rock revival is at once familiar and future-facing.