However, in spite of the dark and brooding nature of the subject matter which is covered in My Favourite Obsession, I can’t help but feel that the song is somewhat at odds with its lyrics. This is manifested in a principle verse riff that has a bouncy catchiness that seems to be more suited to a less taboo, more light-weight topic. This effect is somewhat mitigated by the chorus which marries the cyclical keyboard and haunting vocals to produce a more fitting aural landscape of madness and mania; cleverly highlighting the schizophrenic mind of the stalker by overlaying the dual lyrics on the refrain: ‘I can’t (keep/stop) following you’.

Secret Sirens have released an accompanying music video, in which the events are acted out using Barbie and Ken-‘like’ figurines. Again, I can’t help but feel that the seriousness of the problem is slightly trivialised by using children’s toys to portray a type of behaviour that is both extremely destructive and often ends in violence. Possibly my opinion of the video is coloured by the fact that I couldn’t help but be reminded of its similarity with sequences on The Adam and Joe Show and kept subconsciously expecting to see a Darth Vader toy trot into frame.

All things aside, this is an excellent follow-up to their previous single and a song which has found its way onto my own MP3 player; something which not a great deal of pop music can lay claim. Secret Sirens have the widespread appeal and the technical ability to become a real force on the national music industry and I eagerly await a more full-length release to see if my hopes are well-founded.

Andy Duckworth

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