Written on a visit to seaside town Hastings, "Hot Air Balloon" captures a fleeting, surreal moment—waking up in his van to a golden haze, looking down at the old town and sea, and watching a blimp lazily follow the shoreline.
The song embodies the sleepy, sepia-toned charm of that day: spontaneous conversations, coffees at The Dunes, thoughts of a late swim, and the beauty of simple observations—like "there’s sand in my shoe, so bad news."
With groovy, addictive drums, washed-out horns, glitchy samples, and driving guitars, "Hot Air Balloon" feels both intimate and expansive. One of my favorite details in the production is a playful sound bite of a child’s voice saying, “It’s my turn,”—a moment captured from a sampler I borrowed from a good friend in Bristol. His kids, excited to have their turn on the mic, unknowingly created a perfect little gem, which I wove throughout the track to complement the drum design. It adds a touch of spontaneity and warmth that makes the song feel even more personal.

Bringing additional depth to the recording, Chris Matthewson’s baritone guitars and KD Kadar’s expert mixing tie the sound together, shaping a track that feels like a dreamy memory—hazy, heartfelt, and effortlessly cool. The track was co-produced by Michael Baker and KD Kadar, ensuring a seamless blend of organic and electronic textures.


Hot Air Balloon

Idlewild

Writers Of The Present Time

A collection of 9 songs written in a variety of styles by Girl for Samson songwriters Johnny Marie & Patrick Meagher

Hot Air Balloon

Romanjoonmusic