We have always loved the iconic George Michael hit Careless Whisper, so when we heard that Juliet Lyons and Chris Wirsig had collaborated on a mind-blowing cover of the song, especially as we had previously featured Juliet’s ethereal, cinematic, and cathartic release, Sunrise, we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.

The cover opens with a dramatic frequency and astral keys which are dramatic and intriguing. The opus expands with atmospheric vocals from Juliet as she sings the opening lyrics. The soundscape feels like a moment from Phantom of the Opera, a Marvel trailer, or a sequence for a break up on Love Island – very synch deal friendly!

The cinematic vibe is tangible and immersive. We love the drums and haunting nature of the re-imagining. It has been over forty years since the original release with its saxophone solo and confessional nature.

The orchestral build of the cover is absolutely mind blowing and Juliet’s vocal performance is outstanding! For some history, the song was conceived in 1981 when George was on a bus, heading to a DJ gig somewhere in North-West London. It was actually inspired by a teenage experience in which he was two-timing two different people.

The outro of Juliet Lyons and Chris Wirsig‘s re-working showcases Juliet’s soaring vocals and leaves us in a state of awe! Speaking on the release, Juliet confesses, “George’s voice and this song in particular have always been among my favourites – it was an absolute dream to record this trailerized tribute with Chris.”

Naturally, we have added the cover of Careless Whisper to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of both Juliet and Chris and anticipate future collaborations from the visionary pair!

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Drawing us in with an intimate piano performance and an atmospheric, meditative breath with astral ad libs, Juliet Lyons opens Sunrise with a conscious elegance, setting the scene for a powerful and intentional opening track for her album, Breath of Gratitude.

Sunrise emerges as a deeply philosophical and transcendental piece, weaving together the threads of Juliet’s personal journey with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis – a rare chronic airway disease that has reshaped her life and artistic expression. The opening track is designed to serve as both a literal and metaphorical dawn, representing the euphoria and liberation that comes with each breath of fresh air following her biannual airway surgeries. In its essence, the song embodies the existential struggle between suffocation and the overwhelming gratitude of simply being able to breathe—a sensation most take for granted but for Juliet, becomes a daily testament to survival.

The sonic landscape of Sunrise is ethereal and cinematic, a blend of the atmospheric delicacy of Enya with the sweeping grandeur of Hans Zimmer. It is a meditation on the fragility and resilience of life itself, inviting us into a state of introspection. The quietude reflects those moments of stasis, where the weight of illness bears down and the future feels uncertain. Yet, as the music progresses, it builds into a powerful, heart-stirring climax, symbolizing the triumph of spirit and the rebirth that Juliet experiences after each surgery.

Juliet’s vocals throughout Sunrise are both angelic and haunting, capturing the duality of her experience – both the pain and the peace she has found through her journey. The wordless melodies she sings are like prayers, not bound by language, but conveying a universal longing for healing and hope. The contribution of musical titans, including GRAMMY® winners and nominees, enriches the track with layers of classical, ambient, and global influences, creating a tapestry of sound that is as complex and beautiful as life itself.

Philosophically, Sunrise invites us to contemplate the simple yet profound act of breathing – a function so basic, yet, for Juliet, so precarious. It prompts a reflection on the nature of existence, the inevitability of suffering, and the grace that can be found in accepting and transcending our limitations. The track’s rising crescendos and soothing resolutions mirror the cycles of despair and renewal, a musical embodiment of Nietzsche’s idea of eternal recurrence – the notion that life, with all its trials, is worth living over and over again.

In the broader context of the album Breath of Gratitude, Sunrise is both an opening statement and a microcosm of the entire work’s thematic depth. The album, firmly rooted in the New Age genre, transcends it, offering a sanctuary for reflection, healing, and connection. With Breath of Gratitude already topping New Age charts and receiving critical acclaim, Juliet Lyons not only shares her personal narrative but also extends a hand to those who struggle silently with rare diseases, offering them a voice, a community, and a reminder that they are not alone.

As we listen to Sunrise, we are reminded of the preciousness of every breath, the fleeting nature of our existence, and the incredible strength that lies in vulnerability. Juliet Lyons has crafted not just an album, but a philosophical and emotional journey – one that resonates deeply with the human experience. We have added Sunrise to our New Music Spotlight playlist as well as our TIMELESS playlist, and will be personally recommending the track to our yoga teachers to open and close their yoga sessions, whilst we continue to stream the entirety of Breath of Gratitude!

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