Neil MacLeod is an artist who is steadfast in their vision. On Friday 24th of May, he will release new single ‘Tunnel Vision,’ the follow up track to ‘Fear’, a watershed moment in the ongoing artistic evolution of the 24-year-old Ōtautahi/ Christchurch born New Zealand singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, and artist.
A decade on from when a young MacLeod first uploaded his early music to SoundCloud, Neil has honed his craft from singer-songwriter demos to widescreen productions, born from introspection, reflection, and masterfully curated self-expression.
His new single ‘Tunnel Vision’ takes what we have come to appreciate in MacLeod’s skill as a producer and musician, and elevates it to a place that’s new for the artist. “This is a side of myself that people haven’t heard yet,” says MacLeod. The track starts with delicate, slightly distorted piano, before settling into a beat that drives the song forward in a way that entices and soothes.
Lyrically, MacLeod explores the idea of pure vision and drive. “It’s a song about the impact of that mindset - tunnel vision - specifically in a relationship,” he says. “The chorus talks about not being able to see the forest for the trees. That’s something I’ve dealt with more than I’d like to admit, getting hyper fixated on things to a fault. The song resolves that a ‘little closer to the middle’s where we wanna be.' I think that’s true - somewhere between focused and curious is where I want to exist.”
It’s a song that showcases a new side of MacLeod’s unique sonic identity and was written with Sam Thompson (Drax Project) and mastered by Ryan Schwabe.
For MacLeod, the visual world of songs holds acute importance, and the visualiser accompanying ‘Tunnel Vision’ continues the mystery we first got a taste for with the release of ‘Fear.’ It builds anticipation for the full spectacle waiting in the wings to be released with his upcoming EP.
“The video is a continuation of a story we started telling with the visualiser for my last single ‘Fear’. The story these clips tell is a symbolic one with a concept that can’t be easily explained without ruining the surprise of what’s yet to come. For now I just want people to bathe in the mystery. There’s an amazing visual offering on its way, and these visualisers are simply warming up your taste buds. Everything will connect soon enough.” The visualiser was animated by Dylan Pritchard and co-directed by MacLeod and director, writer and photographer, Oscar Keys.
Nourished by a musical diet of atmospheric electronica artists such as Bon Iver, Burial, James Blake, Floating Points, Kiasmos, Arca, and Björk, MacLeod is well on his way to establishing himself as a pillar in the electronic music landscape of Aotearoa. His EP We Have Known Lost Days (Remixed) was nominated for Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu (Favourite EP / Mixtape) at the 2023 Student Radio Network Awards, and received recognition from outlets such as Dazed, Acid Stag, and NZ Musician.
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