Passenger - Do What You Like, Video

Passenger
Do What You Like
Video

Passenger’s new single ‘Do What You Like’ will be released on July 2nd and it's a tale of unrequited love and regaining control and self respect. Built round a circular, frenetic riff adorned with electronic bleeps over a skittering beat, it is as unpredictable as it is captivating.

This leads to a chorus that is at the same time angry and yearning, and reminiscent of ‘Murmur’-era REM. Here the central character is being strung along by the woman whom he loves but it is unrequited: ‘Cos’ I give you my all, and you give nothing to me.’ There’s a touch of sardonic humour running throughout the song and the true essence of this bittersweet story is summed up as Mike spits its title in the dramatic conclusion to the song ‘D-D-Do What You Like’ In an instant we both sympathise with this down trodden character and witness his realisation of this damaging relationship. It’s also catchy as hell.

Brighton-based singer Mike Rosenberg met his songwriting partner, guitar playing arranger and soundtrack composer Andrew Phillips, at a Free Burma Campaign benefit gig in London in 2002, when Mike was a tender 17 years of age. He had blagged a place in the line up and there, alongside Faithless and Horace Andy, he and Andrew bonded over a mutual love of hip hop and traditional country and folk.

A year later Mike and Andrew’s songwriting partnership was beginning to blossom. They were soon joined by kickboxing bassist Marcus O’Dair, Israeli drummer Alon Cohen and keyboardist Richard Brincklow, who had previously been in a DJ Shadow cover band with Marcus – you read that right – and Passenger came into being.