Single Review: Villagers – ‘Occupy Your Mind’

Indie Folk act Villagers, A.K.A Connor J O’Brien, penned a special single in support of the LGBT community in Russia. A track as a voice of the oppressed, under the thumb of Vladimir Putin, is said by O’Brien to be “written for you, your mother, your father and your gay brothers and sisters in Russia.”

The singer-songwriter drifts from his usual Folk style for the more Indie-Electronic. His floaty Folk vocals remain as recognisable and original as ever, despite the synthy bass. “I just want to occupy your mind…”, he sneers ominously, in a deep looming voice. He is the voice of reason, enlightening hope in the face of Russia’s prejudice. His haunting vocals are enough to stir Putin, and any of his followers’ like-minded acute views.

‘Occupy Your Mind,’ is not just a political song, but an Indie foot-tapper, achieving Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record of the Week on Radio One.