Establishing the mood with a bold and dimensional folk-rock soundscape, the Julie July Band opens Seven Cities of Gold with prophetic prose and the fantastical, yet metaphorical lyrics, “When we find the hidden secrets, of this wild and lonely land, we will fight for the fortune, as we travel hastily across the sand…”
The opus expands with instrumental mastery, sublime vocals from Julie July and a conscious, existential message. In essence, Seven Cities of Gold paints a vivid picture of myth, desire and human restlessness.
The lyrics evoke notions of old legends, cinematic visions of explorers searching for treasure in distant lands, whilst battling loneliness and danger along the way. Beneath the imagery, there’s an intentional and astute sense of longing – not just for wealth, but for meaning in the unknown.
The chorus is introspective, asking whether these quests are guided by the divine or if they are driven by human hunger. This feels extremely zeitgeist in the capitalistic world that we have all grown up in. This gives the song its emotional pull – are we seekers of spirit or slaves to ambition?
Sonically, we appreciate the dynamic production and the way that the music compliments the visual brand of storytelling – capturing both the romance and the peril of chasing dreams. There is no doubt that Seven Cities of Gold would be perfect for a range of sync deals, perhaps a sequel of Dune, or a Hollywood action-adventure film like Gods of Egypt.
It is no surprise that the band is often compared to icons like Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, Fleetwood Mac, and Dire Straits, blending classic influences with their own contemporary style, but there is no doubt that the Julie July Band is manifesting a unique sound unto their own.
We have added Seven Cities of Gold to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of the Julie July Band, including Mellow, and Smoke and Mirrors.