This is electronic pop music that shines a light into its own dark heart, embracing and celebrating the change that comes from periods of struggle. Piano, synth, electronic percussion and ethereal backing vocals serve as the perfect foil to a warm, emotive vocal style that has invited favourable comparisons with the likes of Ilene Woods and Doris Day. She says:

“Armour is my official coming out of the shadows song. Initially inspired by some of the reactions I received to my album, Music for the End of the World, it became an emphatic declaration of strength and healing.

“In response to the very personal nature of the album, I had people asking ‘if I was okay.’ I suppose that meant that as a songwriter I was successful in getting across my complicated and often difficult emotions. But I was also in a place where, while it was lovely that people cared if I was okay, it was also sort of amusing to me, because in reality I am in a much better place emotionally than I’ve ever been.

“The main chorus features the lyric ‘I am fine, better than I’ve ever been’ as a true and real declaration of the strength I have gained over the past 4 years. People often say that experiencing trauma makes you stronger, but having been through it, I know that being traumatized isn’t what makes you stronger. The process of recovering from it, of reclaiming your life and who you are, of taking a stand that says this person who chose to harm you has no power here… those are the personal victories that make you strong.”

Inspired by an array of pioneering artists including The Cure, Aurora, Florence + The Machine, Lamb, and Sigur Ros, Kat Bryan’s distinctive vocal style, powerful production and highly relatable lyrical themes have resonated with fans and critics alike. Reviews of her debut album heralded her as “a complete professional with visionary insight” (Sleeping Bag Studios) and an artist that “certainly invites the listener to expand their musical boundaries” (The Electricity Club).

Armour sees her expand her production repertoire, while harking back to her label debut Circus of the Living in terms of the track’s pronounced percussion and ‘gothic bond theme’ stylings described by Bandcamp Daily as akin to “Clannad at their most sinister.” Expanding on her approach to producing this release, Kat says:

“When working on the arrangement and tone of Armour, I decided the song needed to sound like the battle cry that the words are in my life. I wanted the song to feel like warriors marching into an ancient battle.

“Inspired by The Cure’s Burn, I created an intimidating backdrop of pounding tom, kick and snare drums. The arpeggiated bass synth in the verses meets up with a distorted bass line in the pre-chorus to add depth and darkness. In the verses and leading up to the final chorus I utilised Spitfire Audio's Epic Low Strings orchestral strings plug-in to add a swell of percussive and foreboding drama between phrases. Both the lead and backing vocals also swell as a way to punctuate the lyrics and transform it from a statement into an anthem.

“My hope is that this song speaks to anyone looking to celebrate and honour their personal battles and victories. I hope it reaches those looking to take up arms and fight for their right to be whole again.”