Listen: Girl Called Johnny – Heaven Knows [Best Fit Premiere]

Girl Called Johnny is the new project of Brighton’s Karen Anne, former vocalist of buzzy new wave outfit Ramona. Karen brings with her a sweetly refreshing, stripped back take on Blondie’s acerbic indie disco in the shape of debut single ‘Heaven Knows’.

A summery jaunt tracked by breezy handclaps, aching synth strings and jangles of dewy guitar; ‘Heaven Knows’ could be mistaken for a lost artefact from Postcard Records’ back catalogue if it weren’t for Karen’s wistfully catty lyrics rolling of her tongue with a tender lilt, reminding us that this is a very modern paean to misdirected love. Offering simple hooks and an affecting melody, Girl Called Johnny’s first cut fosters a remarkable understanding of pop in its purest, most concentrated form.