Simfonia covers “Castles in the Sky”

Gibraltarian-Irish artist Simfonia is a classically trained singer, musician, producer, arranger and lyricist. Under the alias Simfonia, she’s created a musical realm of escapism, blending reality with fantasy and mythology. Her unique approach to making music involves dissecting existing classical works and her original compositions, infusing them with deep house beats, pop-focused synths, choral vocoders and neo-classical orchestration. Simfonia’s soaring pop soprano vocals carry lyrics that dive into metaphoric poetry, drawing inspiration from her personal life experiences. Her diverse influences range from Mozart and Disney film scores to 90s dance music and Lady Gaga.

Beyond her formal releases, Simfonia has been earning widespread attention for her covers and remixes shared on platforms like Instagram and Soundcloud. These works demonstrate her boundless talents in orchestration and arrangement, elevating her artistic output beyond the conventional realm.

Now, Simfonia brings us her latest release, a cover of “Castles in the Sky,” originally recorded by Ian Van Dahl. In her rendition, she takes the dance-focused energy of the original and masterfully deconstructs it, rebuilding the track as a delicate and ethereal soundscape. Departing from the buzzing synths and punchy electronic drums, she opts for ambient sonic textures and intricate percussion that gradually builds up. The result is a dazzling reimagining of the song, retaining the strong melodic allure of the original while infusing it with her unique artistic vision.

Simfonia’s version of “Castles in the Sky” was inspired by a solitary lighthouse on the sea, situated next to the South Downs where she resides. The imagery of this lighthouse sparks a dream within her, a yearning to chase after something seemingly impossible. The past year has been a time of identity crisis and mental health challenges for Simfonia, which slowed down her creative flow. However, her trip to the South Coast led her to a moment of contemplation and self-discovery, where she let her mind wander and dream of chasing her desires, no matter how unattainable they may seem.

With her new cover, Simfonia manages to capture the essence of her experience visiting the lone lighthouse at sea. Stripping the song’s sound to be more elegant and dreamy, she infuses the track with intimacy and a landscape-like atmosphere, presenting a new side to her original pop sound. This alteration serves as a reflection of her emotional journey, a cathartic way of letting go and embracing her dreams in their most authentic form.

Simfonia’s version of “Castles in the Sky” reveals her immense talent as a musician, producer and arranger. Her ability to reinterpret a dance anthem into a deeply emotional and moving piece of art is a showcase of her artistic prowess and ability to connect with listeners on a profound level. With her distinct creative imprint and imagination, Simfonia continues to make waves in the music world, leaving us eager to witness the next chapter of her musical journey.

Listen to Castles in the Sky below