The track finds the outfit in one of their more stripped back and emotionally charged moments.
Scout and Olive are a duo that have carved out a real niche for themselves under the monicker EGOISM for their effortless vocal chemistry and thoughtful, down-to-earth songwriting.
‘2016-2018’ is a showcase of the more musically tender but emotionally heavy side of their sound, with soft acoustic guitars and vocals exploring feelings of helplessness as they look back on the past. As always, the vocal performances and chemistry between the two feels seamless and fluid, with each of their voices feeling packed full of emotion and authenticity, adding to the grim sense of reality that permeates this sound. While some of the harmonies and the softness of the sound often cushion the blow, this feels like one of the most stark and thought-provoking moments that EGOISM have had to date, and provides further example of the boundless talent that the duo possess.
“I’m convinced that your capacity for fear peaks at 18. I was completely directionless and trying to find who ‘my people’ were. I made a close friend, and over 2 years I watched their life descend into total chaos as I was helpless to do anything. Mainly because I was circling the same drain. So I wrote this song to say what I wish I could have said back then. Writing it kind of made me realise how little power I had over what happened. In some ways it’s closure” Olive says of the track.
