HIGH REGARD RELEASE THEIR BEST SONG YET, WITH ‘MIRROR GLASS’

SINGLE REVIEW | HIGH REGARD – MIRROR GLASS by Ollie Hayman 5/5

I know the headline is a bit of a far-fetched opinion, but this beats ‘Dead To Me’ – although just. When I first heard High Regard’s newest single in ‘Mirror Glass’ on BBC Radio 1, I knew that if anyone had said to me “which High Regard song should I listen to?” then this would be it. It truly epitomises High Regard as a band and their incredibly versatile sound – starting with a chilled out synth and electric drum beat, which originated from a liquid drum and bass song lead singer Georgia was writing, before incorporating the melody of all the other instruments over the top. It’s an incredible start to an incredible song.

One lyric I really picked out in the first verse was “but how’d you comprehend, a past you can’t erase / foundations of the life you reaped to sow”. It’s a true testament to everyone’s lives and past, saying how your actions have consequences and your past and present defines your future. It’s also saying how you can’t erase your past, and shouldn’t truly be defined by your past. The word “comprehend” also isn’t the only time it’s used across the song. We can hear it again near the middle of the song – “I just can’t comprehend, the end is just the end” – showing how the song is about not being able to grasp the feeling of something being called quits, such as death.

“These empty spaces make me grow colder” being in the chorus also ties in with the above, and a feeling of being alone. Loneliness can definitely make you feel colder, mentally and even physically. It’s a truly outstanding lyric which can be interpreted in so many different ways. The fact it’s in the chorus and being repeated definitely reinforces this theme.

The song title alone also could link to loneliness. We see in lots of films and shows someone being in a mirror, only for a character to turn around and for them not to be there anymore. It’s used as a metaphor for the afterlife too, as the song was demoed just after the passing of one of Georgia’s family members. The song’s theme is about afterlife, so it fits beautifully.

It truly is a brilliant song, and if you are only hearing of High Regard for the first time, throw this and ‘Dead To Me‘ on now. They’re one of the hottest acts in the alternative scene right now, and are only going to grow. Their sound across their discography is not too dissimilar to the likes of As Everything Unfolds, so if you’re a fan of them, you’ll love High Regard.