Amy Shark‘s new single “Only Wanna Be With You” is a welcome injection of turbo-pop, and a sign of a brand new era for one of Australia’s most exciting acts.
The multi-award-winning artist has been inescapable of late, whether it’s on tour around regional Australia (where she just wrapped up a whopping 60 concert dates); on your TV as one of the judges on the upcoming reboot of Australian Idol, or on your radio with her and R3HAB’s synth-pop re-imagination of Bic Runga’s “Sway” in “Sway My Way”.
Now, with the release of “Only Wanna Be With You”, the lead single from an upcoming still-to-be-announced album, the new era of the Shark is in full swing.
The single — produced by Joe London (Lizzo), Konstantin Kersting (Tones And I, Mallrat), and Holy Holy’s Oscar Dawson — hits different when compared to Amy Shark’s musical canon. It’s syrupy-pop with an edge; steeped in sticky Len-like brightness with a Cure-esuqe, crisp and danceable guitar line.
Fans will be delighted to hear Amy’s lyrical chops have only strengthened since the release of her ARIA #1 album Cry Forever. The single tells the story of a version of Amy who, prior to dating her husband Shane, longed to be with him, and unsuccessfully distracted herself with other people:
And I went out
With everyone
Under the sun
(But I only wanna be with you)
The music video, also released today, was directed by Jeremy Koren (Grey Ghost) and filmed in Melbourne. The visual is another change of pace for Amy; less narrative and more conceptual when compared to clips like “Weekends” and “Worst Day of My Life”.
In front of a backdrop of swirling reds and flashing lights, Amy dances across the set, looking wholly relatable — like every girl alone in their rooms when they’ve put their favourite record on.
“Only Wanna Be With You” Lyrics
(I only wanna be with you)
And I don’t know how
You became my favourite person
Can’t say it out loud
(That I only wanna be with you)
And I went out
With everyone
Under the sun
(But I only wanna be with you)
And it’s a real fine line that I’m walking, baby
Dancing on the edge, don’t try to save me
Let me fall deep into this mess
I only wanna be with
Only wanna be with, be with you
Only wanna be with, be with you
Only wanna be with, be with you
I only wanna be with
Only wanna tell the whole world you’re mine
Only wanna kiss you all the goddamn time
Fight with you and then quickly apologise
I only wanna be with you
On a long drive home
My hand fell into yours and
The backseat turned into heaven
(I only wanna be with you)
Someone that can make me feel like you do
Something so real, some kind of voodoo
Let me fall deep into this mess
I only wanna be with
Only wanna be with, be with you
Only wanna be with, be with you
Only wanna be with, be with you
I only wanna be with
Only wanna see all of your dreams come true
Only feel alive when I’m with you
I wish we were alone if you only knew
I only wanna be with you
I only wanna be with you
And I don’t know how
You became my favourite person
Can’t say it out loud
(I only wanna be with you)
And I went out
With everyone
Under the sun
(But I only wanna be with you)
Only wanna be with, be with you
Only wanna be with, be with you
Only wanna be with, be with you
I only wanna be with
And it’s a real fine line that I’m walking, baby (I only wanna be with)
Dancing on the edge, don’t try to save me (I only wanna be with)
Let me fall deep into this mess (I only wanna be with, I only wanna be)
I only wanna be with you
(And it’s a real fine line that I’m walking, baby)
(Dancing on the edge, don’t try to save me)
(Let me fall deep into this mess)
I only wanna be with you
