On their latest single, "Looking Back," dream-pop brother-sister duo Paperwhite welcomes you into a meditative, slow-blooming space of warmth, desire, and resilience. Serving as the lead track off the duo's latest EP, "Reach," this lush gem is your golden-hearted reminder that some things, the pang of memories, that flicker of hope, never change.
"Looking Back," a novel-in-words worth of scripted content shaping a five-year-long chronicle unfolding in uncertain isolation. "It came together during a really uncertain time," the duo adds. "And now finishing it almost 5 years later, we're noticing a lot of those themes still ring true." That long evolution is stitched into the fabric of the song. From its soft, analog synths that flutter like dusklight to the sweeping strings that rise like a second breath, "Looking Back" is a journey that feels lived-in and emotionally earned.
The lead vocalist, Katie, whose voice is soft, airy, and full of expression, grounds the track in humanity. There's a quiet openness in her voice that can make the song feel both intimate and cinematic at the same time. Combined with Ben's airy, reverb-drenched production, the two elements contribute to a sense of tension that is both dreamy and grounded, ethereal yet familiar. Then there's renowned composer and cellist Philip Sheppard, who provides extra depth as his string arrangements elevate the track into something quietly transcendent. His contribution infuses a sense of timeless elegance, making you feel like "Looking Back" isn't just a pop song but your memory set to music.
This is dream pop at its finest and most contemporary, indie electronic that isn't trying to chase trends but rather aiming for something solid and lasting. The instrumentation has a weightlessness to it, but it's always anchored by real emotional gravity. Paperwhite should take a page from this number for the future, a victory lap for those artists that, despite their short time as an established act, have crazy momentum. As "Looking Back" weaves its way into the ears of listeners, Paperwhite has done something more than put out a single. It's a slow-burning reminder that hope, even when it comes late, is never lost.
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