Dawson says the track is about that little voice in your head telling you to “sack up”, describing the sound as angry-art-rock inspired by British post rock and south London jazz.
I wanted to start the album with something that would slap you in the face and be almost scary, although the rest of it is more considered. CEO is about the ugliest parts of the masculine ideal controlling the way you think or act.
CEO is Dawson’s first release under his own name, previously known for his work under
well-loved indie rock act DOONS. It represents a newer and darker project, heralded by the
upcoming release of his 8-track debut album ‘Hang Low’, recorded and mixed by James
Goldsmith at Surgery Studios in Te Whānganui-a-Tara.
‘Hang Low’ is a record of rebirth. It’s something that I tried to make sound jarring and pretty
at the same time, drawing on my experience of heavier music, within the context of the jazz
musicians in the band (Olivia Campion/Lily Rose Shaw) and the others with different musical
heritages (Pierce Higginson/Reuben Topzand).
The next single “Winter’s Ghost” is out on 24th June, and more singles will follow before the
release of the album in September 2022. Hang Low 12’’ Vinyl will be available for pre-order via Bandcamp on 27 May.