"River" is a song by Australian electronic trio

Pnau Pnau ( ) is an Australian dance music trio originating from Sydney. The trio, a duo before 2016, consists of the musicians Nick Littlemore (vocals, production), Peter Mayes (guitar, production) and Sam Littlemore (production), with the latter j ...

and New Zealand electropop singer-songwriter, Ladyhawke and released on 11 December 2020. At the AIR Awards of 2021, the song was nominated for Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single. At the APRA Music Awards of 2022, the song was nominated for Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work.

Background and release

From 2004-2007, Pnau's

Nick Littlemore Nicholas George Littlemore (born 6 May 1978) is an Australian musician, record producer, singer and songwriter. As a musician, he is the frontman of the electronic duo Pnau, an ex-member of the art-rock band Teenager and one part of the electr ...

and Phillipa "Pip" Brown (later known as Ladyhawke) formed the art rock and dance band Teenager. The band was a side-project for Littlemore who was part of Sydney dance music trio, Pnau. In 2007, Ladyhawke provided uncredited vocals on the song "

Embrace Embrace may refer to: * A hug, a form of physical intimacy * Acceptance Music Bands * Embrace (American band), a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C. * Embrace (English band), a post-Britpop band from West Yorkshire * Embrace (duo), a Dan ...

" which was released in June 2008 as the third and final single from the Pnau's third studio album, ''

''. "Embrace" peaked at number 55 on the ARIA Charts. Pnau and Ladyhawke did not collaborate with each between 2007 and 2020. In 2020, Pnau approached Ladyhawke to work together again on something new. In working with Ladyhawke once again, Pnau's Nick Littlemore said "It seems every time we've collaborated with her it's been incendiary. We met a long while ago; within moments of meeting it was clear we had a deep connection. This tune is a combination of Ladyhawke's brilliance and the inspiring work of Sam and Peter. I really believe this song is the living proof of magic; all the elements coming together just right. I hope with all sincerity that you experience the joy we did in making it." Ladyhawke's said "I've always had a unique connection with Nick Littlemore so knew whatever we made would be special. I remember standing in Nick's LA home studio screaming into a microphone being egged on by him yelling 'Louder!!!!' so I could get the 'Riveerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr' just right! I love this track and am very excited to be involved."

Reception

Claire Bracken from ABC said "'River' flows like a dream straight into the bassline of your brain" ending their review saying "Get ready dance floors, this track is coming for you." ''

The Music The Music are an English alternative rock band, formed in Kippax, Leeds in 1999. Comprising Robert Harvey (vocals, guitar), Adam Nutter (lead guitar), Stuart Coleman (bass) and Phil Jordan (drums), the band came to prominence with the releas ...

'' called the song "a homage to PNAU's roots in the rave and progressive scenes of the late '90s and 2000s" calling the song "Another Banger." Hayden Davis from ''Pilerats'' called it "one of the brightest songs of the year (and a latecomer for the year's most infectious)".

Track listings

Digital download # "River" – 3:20 Digital download # "River" (Tobiahs remix) – 5:03 Digital download # "River" (Jack Burton remix) – 5:26

Charts

References

{{Ladyhawke 2020 songs 2020 singles Pnau songs Ladyhawke (musician) songs Songs written by Nick Littlemore Songs written by Peter Mayes Songs written by Sam Littlemore Songs written by Ladyhawke (musician)