‘Fools’, the follow up to Jonny Ong’s success with ‘Isolation’, sees him moving forwards in his maturation as a songwriter, performer and arranger.

The song builds upon his previous observations and the emotions felt whilst a relationship falls apart, in a more holistic way than ‘Isolation’, which was an unbridled outpouring of emotion. ‘Fools’, this time, is more measured and resigned indictment of the repeated mistakes made by humanity in the quest for love and companionship.

The video, which premiered on Music News, sees Ong wandering city streets, in pursuit of someone, or something which always remains just out of his reach. Interspersed with the views of city life are scenes of Ong in a forest, and the winding corridors of a hotel. Altogether, we get a sense of impermanence and transition - as the seasons change, as people check in and out of a hotel, and as the traffic on a busy city road passes by.

Ong has proven time and again that he can stand apart from his contemporaries in the neo-psychedelic scene right now. Whether it be the use of unusual instrumentation such as the handpan (Ong was inspired to pick up this instrument after seeing a busker playing one in Amsterdam), his frank and honest observations of the human condition, or his enigmatic personality which is displayed through his exquisite instrumentation and thoroughly deliberate arrangements in his musical landscapes.

Here is an artist for the future, who proves that the spirit of psychedelia is still alive and kicking, although perhaps not in the same way it once was.

You can watch the video for ‘Fools’ below, and follow Jonny on social media @jonny.ong to stay updated!