Introducing a huge production and a respectably honest hit of songwriting – long-time musician and composer Johnny Minkley joins forces with the gently distinct vocalist Laila, for the celebratory yet heartbroken depth of I Didn’t Deserve Your Love.
Partly inspired by the Pet Shop Boys’ single Left To My Own Devices, I Didn’t Deserve Your Love utilises a euphoric dance arrangement and subtle orchestral layers, to create a clear and melodic fullness that wholly envelopes its listeners.
The song was originally written as a waltz, but ultimately finds its footing amidst the creative freedom of dance pop, and the heartfelt and genuine story woven into that makes it all the more refreshing.
Laila’s voice brings a certain authenticity and vulnerability to the track, a softness but with passion as things evolve. It’s a melancholic topic, a story of having to accept the loss of a loved one after having betrayed them. We don’t often hear songs written from this perspective, Matt Corby’s Brother comes to mind, but we’re in a whole different style there. The originality of this intimate yet vastly cinematic arrangement and song is its own thing entirely, and the music is both unexpected but satisfying, as it makes its way through a fairly perfect three minutes and thirty-three seconds.
Structurally immense, ever-changing and increasingly dramatic, that balance between intimacy and weight is phenomenal; juxtaposition masterfully incorporated. It gifts this release a certain intoxicating and heart-breaking euphoria, which resounds as it reaches its expressive and explosive crescendo.
In between songwriting and creative projects, pianist Johnny Minkley also releases solo piano covers of iconic compositions. For more originals, check out the synth-wave instrumental The Way We Were.
Find Johnny Minkley on Soundcloud & Instagram.
