Cora Rebel - 'Late Night Phone Call'
‘Late Night Phone Call’, the latest single from London-based musician Cora Rebel, 26, shares a gripping tale of guilt, betrayal and unresolved feelings, perfectly crafted into an immersive storytelling experience.
Released on Friday, September 6th, ‘Late Night Phone Call’ unfolds a chilling narrative of an unsolved mystery, as the protagonist is lured into the night, never to be seen again.
In the first verse, Cora creates a false sense of security with idyllic imagery such as ‘garden parties’ and ‘apple trees,’ establishing a welcoming atmosphere. However, this seemingly serene setting is abruptly shattered with the chilling line, ‘but I was never seen again.’ From this moment, the track takes a darker, more ominous turn, weaving a web of intrigue as listeners are left to ponder the protagonist’s fate and the true nature of their disappearance.
While both the recurring pre-chorus and the chorus suggest that attempts to uncover the truth have been fruitless, as well as hinting at potential motives, Cora deepens the narrative throughout the second verse, describing how ‘gossip echoed through a quiet town’ after the disappearance. Locals offer varied perspectives—some believe the protagonist ran away, while others fear the worst—inviting listeners to form their own theories.
However, as the second chorus draws to a close, it’s revealed that the protagonist’s best friend is responsible. This revelation becomes far more depraved as we understand that the protagonist receives no justice; instead, they’re only left to ponder their fate from ‘seven summers ago’ as ‘the truth remains unknown.’
Cora said: “I’ve always been a big fan of crime shows, so I wanted to incorporate something different into my music while putting my story-writing abilities to the test.”
“My biggest hope is that people find the song entertaining and turn to it as a fun escapism,” she added.
Known for her soulful voice and gentle acoustic touch—most notably in her debut EP ‘Room For Wonder’—Cora subverts expectations with ‘Late Night Phone Call’, introducing darker and more mature themes into her sound. Cora's voice is exceptional throughout the song, utilising beautiful harmonies, creative vocal arrangements, and a powerful, catchy melody to create an immersive experience. This is complemented with minimal instrumentation, employing electronic drums, “bendy” guitars, and synths to bridge her familiar style to a new direction. Although this shift was first introduced in her July single ‘20 Forever’, ‘Late Night Phone Call’ takes a bolder approach, pushing the boundaries of dark pop and leaving listeners eager to see what comes next for the artist.
Co-producer Conor Reilly said: “Tragic Sasha’s initial production really laid the song's foundation, but I felt it had drifted from Cora’s sound, so it was my role to reintroduce those elements.”
“I wanted Cora’s lyrical magic to shine through, so keeping the track simple while blending both the old and new was the perfect approach.”
“Tragic Sasha’s incredible work on this track and ‘20 Forever’ has provided me with insight to shape the sound of her upcoming EP and integrate her newer songs into it,” he added.
Cora plans to release several other singles throughout the year and is excitedly working on her second EP, which is expected to be released in 2025. Furthermore, Cora will perform at ‘Katzpace Live’ on Sunday, September 15th, at 6 pm.
Words by Charles Buttle
