Whozyerman? Delivers A Darkly Comic New Single With A Simple Sharp Act
Whozyerman? Returns With A Darkly Comic New Single
With his second album Belly of the Beast
on the way, alternative solo artist Whozyerman? is back with another intriguing new single, A Simple Sharp Act.
The project is the work of Paul Savage, formerly the lead singer and guitarist of Choice Music Prize-winning Irish indie band O Emperor. Savage launched Whozyerman? with his debut album Blink
in February 2022, creating a colourful sound built around retro electronic beats, synthesizers and understated pop melodies.
Following the move to a full live-band setup, recent singles Miles Away
and Long Stretch
have picked up plenty of attention from national radio and music publications. Now, A Simple Sharp Act
gives us another taste of what's coming on Belly of the Beast
.
A Simple Sharp Act Is Rhythmic, Dreamy And Slightly Unhinged
Musically, A Simple Sharp Act
is a seriously tight piece of songwriting. The track has a crisp, precise rhythm, with a prominent bassline locking neatly into the drums and creating a groove that carries the whole thing along.
Short, punchy piano stabs add another layer to the arrangement, giving the track a bouncy, almost percussive quality. Underneath it all is a dreamy, chilled-out atmosphere that contrasts nicely with the rather bizarre story unfolding in the lyrics.
And that's where things get interesting.
Inspired by a magazine headline and a night of karaoke in a pub on Thomas Street, A Simple Sharp Act
tells the fictional story of a woman who murders her partner before heading off to her local pub to sing karaoke.
It's an odd premise, to put it mildly, but that's exactly what makes the song work.
There's something wonderfully dark and funny about the contrast between the seriousness of the crime and the almost everyday act of going out for a few drinks and singing karaoke. Savage finds humour in the absurdity of simply carrying on as though nothing has happened.
The result is a song that feels both nostalgic and slightly surreal, capturing the atmosphere of a disappearing musical and social era while refusing to take itself too seriously.
Whozyerman? Continues To Do Things His Own Way
One of the more interesting things about Whozyerman? is that Savage doesn't seem particularly interested in following the usual rules.
That extends to the release of A Simple Sharp Act
. Like his previous singles, the track won't be available on Spotify as part of Whozyerman?'s ongoing boycott of the streaming platform.
Instead, the single and upcoming Belly of the Beast album will be available through other major streaming services, as well as Bandcamp.
It's another reason to keep an eye on this project. There's a clear sense of independence running through Whozyerman?'s music, both in the sound and the way it's being released.
Final Verdict
A Simple Sharp Act
is another strong preview of what to expect from Belly of the Beast
. It's catchy, rhythmic and deceptively laid-back, while its darkly comic storyline gives the track plenty of personality.
The combination of dreamy electronics, tight bass and drums, punchy piano and Savage's strange storytelling makes this a single that's difficult to ignore.
The album Belly of the Beast
drops on Friday 23rd October, 2026.
The single, A Simple Sharp Act, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: George Hooker
