Blank Instrument, the pen name of Boorloo/Perth-based singer-songwriter Kim Franklin, has returned with “Green and Blue”, the second single from her upcoming debut album, “Jumping at Ghosts”. Following June’s “Brand New”, this new release gives us another personal glimpse into an album shaped by friendship, loss, memory and the need to slow down. Written during a trip to Byron Bay in the months after the passing of Franklin’s close friend Julie, “Green and Blue” carries a quiet sense of reflection from beginning to end. The setting plays an important part in the song, with the coast, bush tracks and rolling waves becoming places where Franklin can step away from everything for a while and find some peace.
The piano gives the track its gentle foundation, while drums, synths, organ, acoustic guitar and electric guitar gradually fill out the arrangement. There is plenty happening in the background, but the song never loses its calm feeling. The warmth in the instrumentation suits the subject perfectly, giving the track a comforting quality without making the emotion feel too heavy. I really like the way “Green and Blue” captures that feeling of needing to get away for a moment when life becomes overwhelming. It feels honest rather than dramatic, and that makes the song easy to connect with. I also enjoyed the way Franklin uses the Byron Bay landscape as part of the story, turning a real place into something that reflects her state of mind.
The story behind “Jumping at Ghosts” makes the song even more meaningful. Julie and Franklin shared a long friendship built around music, storytelling and conversation, and Julie’s generosity before her passing helped Franklin pursue her dream of making this album. That history gives “Green and Blue” an emotional weight that comes through without needing to be overstated. For anyone discovering Blank Instrument for the first time, “Green and Blue” is a lovely place to start. Make sure to follow Blank Instrument so you can keep up with Kim Franklin and the upcoming release of “Jumping at Ghosts” later this year. I’d also recommend adding “Green and Blue” to your playlist. Its warm piano, relaxed folk arrangement and reflective mood make it a natural fit for quiet afternoons, long drives or any moment when you simply need some space to think. It is a thoughtful and beautifully presented single that leaves you curious to hear where Franklin takes the story next.
