Western Australian singer-songwriter Michael Ward returns with “Little Yellow Aeroplane”, a grunge-rock track about trying to leave a toxic relationship. The single is out this Friday, 30 October, and we’re delighted to bring you an exclusive first listen today.
More than 20 years in the making, “Little Yellow Aeroplane” was first written on the front porch of Ward’s home in Bunbury, with his younger brother beside him. The song has changed a lot since then, but the heart of it hasn’t.
It describes an almost out-of-body moment, as a young man tries to end a relationship he knows he can’t stay in. His girlfriend stands in front of him with a perfect sunset behind her, and he barely notices it. All he can think about is the guilt, because his decision will hurt someone he still cares about.
Ward explains:
“He feels like he’s drowning, and either path he takes involves pain, either his own or that of his partner. He hates himself for being unable to find a way for both of them to be happy.”
A driving beat gives the song its urgency, and Ward sings with an intensity that makes the conflict feel immediate, two decades after he first wrote it. You can feel the anguish as he pushes forward with this difficult yet essential decision.
The track draws on Tool, Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect and Silverchair, with heavy grunge-rock passages giving way to quieter stretches. Ward also sings his own backing vocals for the first time, and those high harmonies sit nicely against the rawness of his lead. Each surge drops away again before the bass and a wailing guitar push the song to its finish. It’s an ambitious piece of songwriting, and Ward’s voice handles everything it asks of him.
A winner of the Homegrown Hundred National Countdown, Ward has built a loyal following in WA through constant touring. His previous single, “How Good Can This Get?”, was about slowing down and enjoying the present. “Little Yellow Aeroplane” is a much darker song, and it’ll hit home for anyone who has realised that loving someone isn’t always a reason to stay.
Ward is in the middle of an 18-date national tour running through December, including dates with Morgan Joanel.
“Little Yellow Aeroplane” is out Friday, 30 October. Enjoy our exclusive premiere below.
Michael Ward – with Morgan Joanel tour dates
