Iris Gold‘s ‘Smile‘ is a masterclass in alchemy – transforming personal darkness into radiant light. Born from family illness and emotional turmoil, this psychedelic soulpop gem proves that the best art emerges from struggle. The track’s 70s-infused production feels like “walking barefoot through grass at a festival you built in your own backyard.” With loving nods to Charlie Chaplin and Simon & Garfunkel, Gold crafts something both nostalgic and urgently contemporary.
The accompanying video amplifies this message, featuring smiles from Jamaica, UK, Denmark, USA, and Zimbabwe – including her 89-year-old grandmother, her son, and Dave Stewart from Eurythmics. “I have seen smiles and light in the darkest places,” Gold explains, connecting her work with a Zimbabwean non-profit to end gender-based violence. This isn’t toxic positivity – it’s conscious defiance. Following the playful ‘André 3k’, ‘Smile’ showcases Gold’s impressive range while celebrating our choice to find light in darkness.