CONTROL

Radon Notes

Dara Carter entered the Radon Recordings sphere early in our time in Atlanta, around 2014. She was working with a collective of musical artists called We Were Here. Each songwriting member had their own identity and the others backed them when it was their turn in the spotlight. It’s a rewarding way to work because you get multiple “bands” out of one group of artists.

This previously unreleased version of “Control” pre-dates the one that appears on Dara’s album The Gem in I. It is more stripped down to its essence in terms of production and feels like a live band performance. It’s an epic song that moves through several moods as it goes along. The singer is clearly hurt and confused by her own inability to break free from a love that is not working for her. She apologizes and tries to say goodbye but it doesn’t stick. The first verses and choruses drive the song using major chords that feel uplifting, even though there is an obvious struggle going on. When the middle section hits, the mood grows ominous and even threatening. LV Baby the rap artist enters the picture, playing a character who makes excuses and promises to hound the singer after she walks away. We break back into the sunlight of another chorus underlain with goodbyes, leaving the resolution to our imaginations but with a hint of hope.

Explore Dara’s other work on your favorite streaming service. She has released two albums (The Gem in I and Freedom) and a couple of singles. She’s also a featured artist on the singles of other artists, and is a working musician in Atlanta and in Costa Rica.