With names like Fernando Honorato (Fernando’s Eyes) and Principe Valiente I detected a Mediterranean/Latin feel to this submission but as it turns out Fernando is Swedish as is the band Principe Valiente, exponents of ‘dark pop’ and for whom Fernando is both songwriter and lead singer.
I must admit I am not familiar with their work so I’m going in blind into Fernando’s Eyes (pardon the atrocious pun but in his main promotional photo he does look like Roy Orbison).
‘A Million Times’ is the first single from his forthcoming solo album, one which he says has been “close to my heart” for a long time, is “deeply personal” and gives him the space to explore music “in a new, raw and intimate way”.
It certainly perpetuates the notion of what dark pop is and deals with human anxiety and lack of self belief.
It starts off where other anthems have taken their leave and I sense a strong influence from Ultravox in the arrangement, especially the keys and the piercing percussion centred on the snare drum. If you imagine something between ‘Vienna’ and ‘Dancing with tears in my eyes’ and a vocal that’s an octave down on Midge Ure’s delivery I reckon you’re getting into the ballpark.
It’s cinematic in its scope without ever losing the impression of being ‘from the street’ and indeed the accompanying dark video has him walking along a half-illuminated city street (I’m guessing it is in Stockholm) in dark clothing and shades. I think we get the message.
Quite why Fernando should have decided to walk along a bike lane in the middle of the street with his back to the traffic isn’t known but the ‘Polis’ don’t seem to mind so why should we care?
There are a couple of subliminal message appearing on the screen during the video and it is punctuated by those little circles that tell the cinematographer when to change the reel.
That certainly gives it a 1980s feel to go along with the song and probably could convey a sense of ‘art pop’ about it if Fernando was happy with that description, but I guess he might not be.
Anyway – impressive first ‘solo’ effort and one that hints at a promising debut album.
‘A Million Times’ is available from 28th March, 2025 on all major streaming platforms.
Written, recorded, arranged and performed by Fernando Honorato.
Find him on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fernandoseyes.music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fernandoseyes_music/
