Indie artist Josh Van White is thrilled to announce the release of his latest single, “Strange Kind of Heaven,” a compelling blend of indie rock sensibilities with a touch of philosophical musings on the concept of paradise. With a sound that echoes the influences of MGMT, Cage the Elephant, and Arcade Fire, this track marks a notable shift from Van White’s recent synthpop productions to a more guitar-focused indie style.
“Strange Kind of Heaven” is an exploration of existential questions wrapped in a love story. Van White elaborates on the creative process, saying, “‘Strange Kind of Heaven’ kind of brought me back to how I used to arrange songs years ago. For my last few releases, I leaned heavily on synth hooks and danceable beats (sometimes excluding guitar altogether), but this one made me take a step away from that. I initially tried to come up with a synthy way to go about it, but in the end decided it works best in a guitar-focused indie style. Where I usually look to new wave or alternative 80s sounds for influence, this time around I was listening to more modern indie rock and it really changed the final product of the song.”
The opening of the track immediately establishes a rhythmic strumming pattern that serves as the foundation for the entire composition. Josh Van White’s vocals, reminiscent of a young Billy Corgan, are infused with a raw emotional depth that captivates the listener from the onset. As the track develops, it introduces layered percussions and synths, culminating in a rich, expansive soundscape that is both ethereal and tangible—an apt reflection of the song’s lyrical themes.
Raised in a religious environment, Van White uses this track to critique and explore these ingrained concepts, turning them on their head. “At a surface level, this song looks at and criticizes the idea of Christian Heaven from a logistical standpoint. I was raised religious and it was just one of those things that never really made sense to me. How could heaven be paradise when so many people like contradictory things?”
No stranger to following the path of inspiration, however, Van White soon felt the tug of a new concept take shape. As he explains, “But as I wrote it, it took on another meaning — something close to a love song. Like, yeah you and your friends or loved ones might not share all your favourite things, maybe something you love your partner can’t stand, but that doesn’t mean the love isn’t there. And being with those people you love, platonically or romantically, might be the closest thing we actually get to heaven.”
“Strange Kind of Heaven” holds a special place in Van White’s discography, being the last song he began writing in New Zealand before completing it in Toronto. This geographical and emotional journey has infused the track with a sense of introspection and maturity that resonates throughout its melodies.
Fans of thoughtful indie rock and lyrical storytelling are encouraged to stream “Strange Kind of Heaven” available now on all major platforms.
About Josh Van White
Josh Van White first burst onto the scene with the band Modest Apollo’s 2018 album Postsocial. After graduating from university, he left the rock outfit and moved to Toronto where he played around with different genres and sounds, resulting in a few releases under various pseudonyms. Van White finally found his sound with the non-album singles “Let’s Dance” and “See All the People”, leading to his debut solo LP Pacific Transmissions. Since the release of his album, he has put out a handful of singles including “Fortune’s Favourite”, “Change Too Much”, and “Little Joys”, all taking different approaches to the 80’s alternative style.
In his latest release, “Strange Kind of Heaven,” Van White takes a step away from the synthpop stylings of his last two singles, instead opting for a modern indie sound. Taking inspiration from acts like MGMT, Cage the Elephant, and Arcade Fire; this new track pairs simple, guitar-based instrumentation with the existential logistics of an afterlife.
