Earlier this yr, London’s West Finish mentioned a tragic farewell to Why Am I Single? – the newest musical from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, also called the multi-award-winning duo behind the worldwide phenomenon Six.
The era-defining Olivier-nominated musical follows two writers known as Oliver and Nancy who’re struggling to put in writing a second musical, whist additionally navigating the ups and downs of their relationship lives within the period of relationship apps.
Filled with popular culture and musical theatre references (together with a protracted working Oliver! gag), relatable tales about relationship and life experiences, and an distinctive forged, Why Am I So Single? proved to be a life-affirming musical which gave the West Finish a brand new lease of life. The present additionally gained a powerful cult following because of its working themes of affection, friendship, gender and identification, with many individuals being left dissatisfied by the present’s early closure.
Nevertheless, the unimaginable authentic London forged recording has lastly been launched and is obtainable to obtain on streaming platforms proper now! Whereas just a few of the fan favorite demos have been obtainable to stream for a while, that is the primary time that each one songs (in addition to just a few sensational extras) have been launched in order that followers can relive the magic of the present at dwelling.
The forged and artistic crew celebrated the album launch with a glitzy occasion final night time (March 13) at Earth Kitchen, Hackney, with an exquisite countdown to the discharge at midnight. Earlier within the night, main stars Jo Foster, Leesa Tulley and Noah Thomas handled the viewers to a four-track efficiency of among the songs, adopted by a Q&A with creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Because the clock struck midnight, the dance ground became an enormous singalong of the album tracks – the proper approach to have fun this momentous event!
Whether or not you’ve seen the musical or not, the unique London forged recording of Why Am I So Single? completely encapsulates the enjoyment and chaos of relationship life by fusing a wide range of musical genres with intelligent and witty lyrics. This isn’t your customary musical – actually, it’s a pop hybrid with components of disco, rock/pop punk, rap, and jazz. Switching seamlessly from enormous bangers to heartfelt ballads, this album is designed to make you cackle, cringe, cry and confess your love on your bestie.
Opening with the Prologue, main into title monitor Why Am I So Single?, this units the tone for the recording as Oliver and Nancy (performed by Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley) attempt to work out why on earth they’re and not using a important different. Laced with hilarious play on phrases and a Six nod (the opposite Boleyn woman), the monitor sums up the troubles of contemporary relationship completely.
That is adopted by the infectious 8 Dates, which went viral on TikTok and is well one of many greatest earworms on the recording. Detailing Oliver’s latest relationship app experiences, Jo shares all of the feelings that can too acquainted for anybody who’s ever used an app – from the hope and pleasure, to the utter disappointment and frustration. 8 Dates can also be the start of a run of absolute bops on the recording…
Firstly, the 00’s pop-punk emo anthem I Acquired Off The Airplane, which particulars the impression that Pals and Ross and Rachel’s “will they, received’t they” relationship had on society. That is adopted by the distinctive C U By no means, led by Noah Thomas as Artie, as he and Leesa’s Nancy break down the expertise of being hyper fixated on situationships and shedding the flexibility to speak correctly. Anybody who was fortunate sufficient to catch the musical on the Garrick Theatre would have seen the forged reveal some fancy faucet dancing expertise, and you’ll nonetheless really feel the fierce power on the recording. Noah is incredible on the monitor as Artie tries to knock some sense into his buddy.
Subsequent up is a private favorite, Meet Market. A hilarious but relatable providing, this monitor can be fairly traumatic for anybody who’s ever used a relationship app. The music’s intro options among the most recognisable quotes from the apps, together with “journey lover”, “I like pineapple on pizza” and males mendacity about their peak. The monitor takes a flip as Oliver and Nancy fee one another’s profiles, earlier than exploring among the (fairly frankly terrifying) individuals who have swiped proper on them. The music is chaotic, altering tempo at each flip, nevertheless, this sums up the whole Hinge/Bumble/Tinder expertise.
After quite a lot of excessive tempo songs, we gradual issues down with the sultry Shhh!!!, the place Oliver sings about the kind of males they entice together with those that act like they’re non-existent. While the Marilyn Monroe-esque jazz vibes are intoxicating and laced with humour, the monitor is tinged with unhappiness because the character believes that that is what they deserve, when this couldn’t be farther from the reality.
That is adopted by an enormous energy ballad known as Simply In Case, the place Nancy explains that she’s very a lot hung up on her ex (aka THE ex), and can be able to drop all the things if he got here knocking. Leesa’s highly effective vocals are showcased completely all through the monitor, with the Scotswoman pouring her coronary heart and soul into the storytelling behind the music.
Creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss are finest identified for Six and you’ll really feel the affect of the musical all through components of Why Am I So Single?, most notably throughout Interlude in B Minor which is harking back to the chaos of Haus of Holbein. The music is made up of interpolations of the earlier tracks, with Oliver and Nancy battling a bee within the flat. Sure, this sounds weird out of context however it was equally as baffling on the West Finish stage. Nevertheless, there’s little question that the music is extremely catchy and probably the most memorable tracks on the recording.
Golf equipment Wonderful Golf equipment sees Artie reminisce on the primary time he met Oliver and Nancy, with everybody remembering occasions in very alternative ways. Not solely is the monitor’s title a play on Meals Wonderful Meals from Oliver!, that is the place we see Oliver and Nancy’s friendship blossom as they uncover that they’re each superfans of the basic musical.
That is adopted by the ukelele-laced No Query, which is a mild providing which units the tone for one of many highlights of the album – Disco Ball. Jo Foster is an absolute sensation on this electrical disco-tinged anthem and you’ll really feel their power and emotion changing into extra frantic and determined because the music progresses. This was an enormous standout second every night time on the Garrick, and Jo deserves their flowers for this music alone.
The temper is lightened slightly on Males R Trash, because the pair come to the realisation that the explanation they’re single is as a result of males are pure rubbish. Subsequent up is the Simply In Case – Reprise, which cleverly combines components of the melodies of Simply In Case and Disco Ball and is the start of an emotional part of the present as Oliver and Nancy come head to head with their feelings. Misplaced is a beautiful ballad sung by Leesa, as she explores Nancy’s grief of shedding her father, while Why Am I Nonetheless Reprising? sees the pair validate their love for one another.
As they arrive to the realisation that each one they want is one another, the soundtrack involves an finish with the euphoric Higher Off Love Story. Detailing the significance of friendship, it is a attractive ode to the ability of platonic relationships and sums up the connection of the whole forged. Through the course of it’s very clear that the forged has constructed a magical reference to one another, and while Why Am I So Single? has completed for now, the forged recording actually is their very personal blissful ever after.
The album additionally contains two very particular additions. First off, is an prolonged model of Males R Trash which options the long-lasting Patti LuPone from the Broadway Revival Solid of Oliver! (which is referenced within the present itself). Patti elevates the already sensible monitor, including her powerhouse vocals and humour to the music.
To shut off the recording, Jordan Cambridge-Taylor and Collette Guitart (the alternate Oliver and Nancy) get their likelihood to shine with another model of Simply In Case. While you’ll be able to count on enormous vocals, that is definitely not the Simply In Case we’re used to. As an alternative, the monitor has been became an ode to Oliver! which is extremely intelligent and permits Jordan and Collette to showcase their delectable vocals.
Why Am I Single? is bound to thrill musical and pop music lovers alike, and we actually hope that the discharge of the unique forged recording will imply that there’ll be additional life this present sooner or later. Please Sir, can we’ve some extra?!
Stream the unique London forged recording of Why Am I So Single? right here.
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