Metronomy’s Anna Prior unveils second solo single – listen

Metronomy’s Anna Prior has released a new solo track – you can hear it below.

The Devon outfit’s long-time drummer unveiled the single, her second after last year’s ‘Thank You for Nothing’, today (March 16). ‘Easier Alone’ is a shimmering synthpop ear-worm not too far removed from Metronomy’s own output, featuring the repeated line “I want you, but it’s easier alone.” It’s released via her own label, Beat Place.

Discussing the track, Prior said in a press release that it “is a song about letting good things go. It’s about all those healthy friendships, relationships, situationships [sic] that just become stifled under the weight of the expectation we place on ourselves. The relationships that you know would be nourishing and supportive, if only you could let someone love you without your own limits.”

“But it’s true though, most things are easier on your own,” she added. “Except moving house, tug o war and writing a song, at least in my case.” She also talked about having collaborated with electronic musician Jules Rosset on the track. “He helped me steer the music in a much more interesting direction (the song was called ‘piano thing’ for months before that) and most importantly, always responded to my maniacally composed emails of ideas within five minutes of me sending them – a perfect match for the over thinker!”

It follows last month’s seventh album by Metronomy, ‘Small World’, which frontman Joe Mount discussed with Rolling Stone UK earlier this year. ““There’s the stuff you’ll never understand and will make you feel sad at any moment you think about it,” said Mount in reference to the thematic balance on ‘Small World’. “Then there’s the other side, saying, ‘I enjoy pottering around the garden. That brings about the happiness I can enjoy on Earth.’”

“And I guess music is where you can tap into bits of that,” he continued. “For me, the sad stuff and the happy stuff and humour and death, they all intermingle. It’s not like there’s a sadness that comes from anywhere in particular, but it’s something that everyone can feel.”

Metronomy will take the record on the road in the UK, with an extensive run of dates beginning next month. You can see them below.

Metronomy, April 2022:

22 – Glasgow, Barrowland

23 – Leeds, O₂ Academy Leeds

24 – Newcastle, Boiler Shop

27 – Liverpool, O₂ Academy Liverpool

28 – Manchester, Academy

30 – Birmingham, O₂ Academy Birmingham

May 2022:

1 – Cardiff, Tramshed

4 – Bristol, O₂ Academy Bristol

5 – Oxford, O₂ Academy Oxford

7 – London, Alexandra Palace