With sparkling melodics and a stirring core, the new single My Own Time out today from Brisbane indie rockers The Urban Sea bustles with swagger, heart and sanguine charm. Equally a groove-maker and core-shaker, My Own Time also arrives today with an accompanying music video that hovers between live performance and a poignant reflection of the emotive lyricism throughout.
Energetic and relatable, My Own Time captures a universal emotional narrative, detailing a relationship that has reached its natural end while also seeking empowerment to find closure against the heartbreak. Sonically, My Own Time mirrors the lyrical reclamation of strength, with the track’s upbeat grooves, propellant buoyancy and carefully curated arrangements calling to mind the emotional depth of Gang of Youths and the melodic energy of fellow Brisbane indie rockers Ball Park Music. “There’s a bit of Arctic Monkeys swagger and Spacey Jane jangle in there, especially in how we approached the arrangements,” shares songwriter Shanan Kilner. “My Own Time came from a pretty emotional place during a breakup where I was ready to move on, but my ex was struggling to let go. The relationship had reached its end, and deep down, we both knew it. Writing this song was my way of processing those feelings and realising that sometimes the healthiest thing to do is move on. The line, “You got love on your lips but blood on your hands,” sums it up. There was still affection, but we both had a hand in why things didn’t work out. It’s not about blame, but about recognising that love alone couldn’t fix what was broken. I wanted to move forward without rehashing old arguments or trying to pin down who was at fault, which is where the lines “I got no more coins for that wishing well” and “lay low and let it go” came from – sheer exhaustion from going over the same things again and again. The bridge “In my own time, get my feet back on the ground” was a reminder to myself that healing takes time and it’s okay to take things at your own pace. When I first wrote it, it felt like a release.”
“I didn’t want the song to be heavy or sad, even though the emotions were. The upbeat indie vibe reflects that sense of freedom that comes with finally letting go, even when it’s hard. I think we’ve all been in situations where we know it’s time to move on, but the comfort of the familiar pulls us back. It’s not about heartache – it’s about strength, about taking control of your own life and time. I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of needing to reclaim their space after a relationship ends. Writing this song helped me find that closure, and I hope it resonates with anyone else who’s ready for their own fresh start.”
Recorded by Steve Kempnich (Powderfinger, Megan Washington, Shag Rock) and mastered by Mathew Grey (Eskimo Joe, Sarah Blasko), My Own Time sprinkles in some acoustic alchemy along with potent indie rock flavours, with the track’s music video tactfully also illustrating the lyrical content and nodding to some of their earlier work, as the band elaborate, “The video for My Own Time plays on the theme of struggling to let go of the past. The protagonist attempts to burn Polaroid photos representing the relationship.. These photos refuse to burn, symbolising memories that refuse to fade and a relationship that is lingering. In the end, the character leaves the box of photos next to the fire, and walks away, representing the decision to move on. The setting by the fire not only ties into the themes of release but also allows us to play with shadow and light, creating silhouettes throughout the video, which links back to the EP’s title. We loved the idea of using the same imagery from the artwork to create a connection.”
With a truly modern origin story, stemming from when vocalist and guitarist Chris Macdonald and guitarist Shanan Kilner met on a musician’s classified website (“basically Tinder for musos”, says the group), The Urban Sea emerged in 2019 and quickly became a fixture in the thriving Brisbane indie scene. Helmed by a creative fluidity that initially blended indie rock with touches of soul and R&B, the band have since evolved over the years to embrace a more acoustic-driven indie style along with a solidified lineup of Macdonald and Kilner as well as keyboardist Jack Gooden, drummer Troy Thorpe and bassist Rhys Fox, now channelling the more energetic edge of their earlier days into a more refined and emotionally resonant vibe. With their name reflective of the ebb and flow of the ocean itself meeting the bustle of urban life, The Urban Sea have previously ticked off performances at many iconic Brisbane venues, including The Zoo and Black Bear Lodge, as well as appearances at Woodford Folk Festival and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Fan Festival. Via their recent EP Sunsets and Silhouettes, the group again showcased their ever-maturing sound, blending thoughtful songwriting with raw, intimate and expansive arrangements. Now with a brand new EP Sunsets and Silhouettes set for release in February 2025, there is guaranteed to be even more The Urban Sea magic to come, balancing emotion with moments of peace and clarity. And My Own Time is a perfect and personal palette cleanser as The Urban Sea shift deeper into this exciting new creative chapter.
“Releasing My Own Time feels like finally sharing a piece of ourselves that we’ve been holding onto for a while,” the band concludes. “The song is very personal, but it also has this universal energy that we hope people will connect with. We’ve poured a lot into the arrangements and lyrics to capture that push-and-pull of moving on, and now it’s time to let it go and see how it resonates with listeners. There’s a certain catharsis in putting it out there – we’re excited to see how people interpret and feel the song.”
My Own Time is out today, Friday 11 October.
