My New Obsession With... Oh, Be Clever!

   Once in a blue moon, an incredible, under-the-radar type of song will unexpectedly drop down from the heavens above and slap me right in the face with good intention. It's like the pop gods have finally answered all my prayers, in search of the next best thing. "Next To You" by Utah-based Oh, Be Clever IS that next best thing. It is an electronic/pop masterpiece that deserves to be heard by the masses.

   Brittany Shields and Cory Scott Layton, once part of rival high school bands, left all the childish drama behind in order to form a serious duo with the intention to focus on their musical talents. With Cory in charge of the intricate production and Brittany responsible for the soaring vocals found on their recordings, Oh, Be Clever are making a noticeable statement in the genres of alternative dance and pop.

   Their latest offering, the deliciously brilliant "Next To You", is a rare find that demands attention with the first few notes. As M83-sounding production and beats kick off the electronic pop track, Brittany's vocals make an eerie yet powerful entrance as she plays the role of a woman who just can't seem to let go of her former lover. "You've been running away, running away from me, but I feel alive, next to you," she beautifully sings just before the epic chorus, one of the best of the year, takes the track to a whole new level of greatness.

   "Cory and I had simultaneously experienced break ups. When our relationships ended we were sad and depressed. The song is about the desire to be with that person just one more time. I think most of us can relate to feeling like our heartache is turning into madness," vocalist Shields says of "Next To You".

   The song is simply a new beginning for the duo as they say it is the track that seems to garner the most positive response from friends and fans. Oh, Be Clever understand that "word of mouth" is extremely important for emerging artists and plan to promote their new release to radio and blogs across the country. People really should take notice.

   Besides the new track, the duo have released the colorful, slightly psychotic, accompanying music video and recently announced a showcase performance during the buzzed-about South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas next week, performing a set for the Music Stage Live event. New songs from their upcoming EP, #Awakening, will be performed, which Shields says have a slightly darker tone than previously released material.

   It seems Oh, Be Clever are gaining the momentum they need in order to be heavyweights in the recording industry. With euphoric production from Layton and gorgeous vocals which emphasize raw emotion from Shields, the duo should have no problem finding a devoted audience to their style of rock/pop/dance magic.