A year after the song’s original release, we are releasing an alternate version of Reciprocals, substituting synthesizers and drum machines for a felt piano and string ensemble. Deviating from the original indie synth-pop track, the re-imagined “cinematic version” has a more patient, emotive, and sparse character.
I originally started thinking about doing an alternate version of Reciprocals when I got a few comments back from people who really enjoyed the outro of the original song and thought it could be developed into its own track. Simultaneously I was working on a new set of songs that shifted the sound of The Forever Now into a more traditional sonic space, making more use of piano, organ, nylon-string guitar, and string ensembles than it did synthesizers and drum machines. Doing an alternate version seemed like the perfect way to bridge the gap into the new sound of The Forever Now.
I first set out to make just a simple “piano version” of the track, but it’s hard to change old habits, and I couldn’t resist the urge to layer in some strings, a few heavily reverb’d drum hits, and a sneaky little bass synth line. Ultimately the end result was much more dramatic than the point of departure and the “cinematic version” title seemed much more appropriate.
What I like about this version is that because it’s more simple and sparse, it’s much more patient and emotional. The space between the notes and chords feels almost as important as the notes themselves and I worked a lot with delay and reverb to paint in this negative space.
Reciprocals (Cinematic Version) features Lauren Austin on vocals, was mixed by Larry Crane of Jackpot! Recording Studio (Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney, the Decemberists, She & Him, The Shins), and mastered by Shawn Hatfield of Audible Oddities (Yumi Zouma, CRi, TOKiMONSTA).
Critical reception of the original Reciprocals:
The production is absolutely stunning — we hear electronic synths harbouring organic textures, creating an intricate juxtaposition throughout the arrangement. The vocals are catchy and make you want to learn the words as soon as you hear them for the first time.
The Bops Collective
What I enjoy most about ‘Reciprocals’ is the combination of de Luna and Austin’s vocals. The inclusion of both male and female vocals tends to enhance the narrative and emphasize the message behind the track
The Other Side Reviews
a top notch sound layering minimalism, where through their solid mix and production level push all the shine out of those warm vocals and place it among the wonderful pop chill track we have listen lately
Nagamag
Lyrics
My mind wanders with the lights down low echoes across a place I’ve been before My mind wanders with the lights down low Is that reciprocal? Yeah that’s reciprocal If we’re honest I’ve been here before If we’re honest I can’t see a way forward If we’re honest it’s not worth the fuss And if we’re being honest you know I never wanted this much Yeah if we’re being honest you know I never wanted this much So if you’ve got the time then its time we go And if you’ve got the lines then it’s time we draw them Because in another life I’d never let you go But I’ve been spending mine on reciprocals, on reciprocals My mind wanders with the lights down low it goes back to mistakes I’ve lived before My mind wanders with the lights down low Well that’s reciprocal, that’s reciprocal If we’re honest we’ve been here before If we’re honest we keep knocking down that same door And if we’re honest we keep breaking this trust And if we’re being honest you know I always put up a fuss Yeah if we’re being honest you know I never promised too much So if you’ve got the time then its we go And if you’ve got the lines then it’s time we draw them Because in another life I’d never let you go But I’ve been spending mine on reciprocals Is that reciprocal? Is that reciprocal? Yeah I’ve been spending mine on reciprocals Is that reciprocal? Is that reciprocal? Yeah I’ve been spending mine with reciprocals So if you’ve got the time then its we go And if you’ve got the lines then it’s time we draw them Because in another life I’d never let you go But I’ve been spending mine on reciprocals Is that reciprocal? Is that reciprocal? Yeah I’ve been spending mine on reciprocals Is that reciprocal? Is that reciprocal? Yeah I’ve been spending mine with reciprocals