B-Side Guys

Some voices don’t just carry songs—they inhabit them. Naarm-based artist Paige Barnard possesses such an instrument, and her latest single “Strong” demonstrates how vocal prowess can transform personal catharsis into universal resonance. Released from Melbourne’s Yarra Valley into the wider world, the track creates emotional architecture from the rubble of a collapsed relationship.

Unlike breakup songs that rely on anger or accusation, “Strong” explores the particular devastation of separations where “nothing really went wrong”—partings dictated by circumstance rather than conflict. Barnard navigates this complex emotional territory with remarkable vocal control, employing both technical range and timbral sensitivity to convey conflicting internal states. The delivery suggests influences from Triple J-favored Australian songwriters like Missy Higgins while maintaining distinctive character.

The production choices enhance this emotional exploration, with heavy chorded piano providing both harmonic foundation and metaphorical weight. This instrumental approach creates a sparse yet immersive sonic environment where Barnard’s voice can fully occupy the foreground without sacrificing atmospheric depth. The arrangement breathes with the narrative, expanding and contracting like emotional memory itself.

What distinguishes “Strong” from similar folk-pop ballads is its unflinching examination of post-relationship ghosts—not just missing a person but mourning the shared future that will never materialize. Barnard confronts the particular pain of having to “dream new dreams alone,” acknowledging both the vulnerability and resolve required to reclaim one’s individual path. This thematic nuance elevates the composition beyond simple heartbreak into more profound territory.

Having garnered attention from Triple J Unearthed and outlets like The Music and MILKY, while collecting accolades including the Darebin Songwriters Judges Award and recognition from the AIR Women in Music Mentor Program, Barnard has established herself as an emerging voice in Australia’s rich songwriting tradition. “Strong” demonstrates why this recognition extends beyond technical ability to emotional authenticity.

The accompanying film-shot music video enhances the song’s themes through visual poetry—Barnard appears in solitary scenes bathed in sunlight, oceanside, and amongst flowers, with layered imagery suggesting she exists as her own companion. This visual approach, crafted by Josie Wappet and Eimhin Healy, reinforces the song’s exploration of solitary resilience.

“Strong” stands as evidence that sometimes the most affecting musical statements emerge not from dramatic upheaval but from the quiet devastation of circumstances beyond control—relationships that end not with a bang but with the whisper of distance.