Having firsthand experienced this rollout, it’s been an absolute blast getting to experience this EP come to life! "Never Been A Smooth Ride" wraps up Paul Frazer Clarke's Five Coordinates EP in the perfect way. We've been waiting on this final chapter for quite some time, and it absolutely delivers. It's an exceptional closer, one that feels like a celebration of everything that made this whole project so enjoyable in the first place!

Throughout 2026, Clarke has paired himself with a different international collaborator on each track of this EP, and for the finale he's brought in Canadian artist Elle Sorren. Her vocals are outstanding here, sweet and angelic in a way that fits the vibe and groove of the song perfectly. There's a lightness to her delivery that floats right over the production and it 100% gives the whole track a dream quality that makes it easy to float right into.

Sonically, this is a synthwave track with a synth pop flair, and honestly, it's just plain fun instrumentally. Majorly upbeat and bright, but the synths create so much atmosphere that the song never feels shallow. Warm textures wash over everything, while a pumping bassline keeps the energy moving forward. Then there's that guitar solo in the latter half which lifts the whole thing at exactly the right moment. It’s that little extra spark right when the song is ready for it.

There's certainly a nostalgic, 80’s inspired feel running through the song, but it never sounds like a throwback just because. In a way it’s slightly similar to the others, but still very much has its own personality. His production keeps everything feeling modern, which has always been one of Clarke's biggest strengths. For those potentially out of the know, he’s a Perth-based composer and producer with over 35 years in the industry, and formerly signed to Epic Records. He clearly knows how to honor a classic sound while making it feel fresh and it shines through with ease here.

Lyrically, the song asks a thoughtful question, whether we're addicted to winning, and whether that chase costs us the good things sitting right in front of us. That’s absolutely a lot to ponder, but he’s still package it up in a bright, danceable way that adds a ton of depth overall.

We also recently sat down with Paul for an interview (linked above!), and it was a fantastic conversation. We talked specifically about this single, but also about the entire EP rollout, the collaborations that shaped each track, his amazing production approach, his process, and so much more. Listen to the song and EP, but also don’t miss out on our chat!

It's a standout finale to an outstanding EP and a great reminder of what happens when Paul Frazer Clarke teams up with the right voice. So please, go ahead and click those links below to listen in and of course to follow along for hopefully so much more.

Listen to “Never Been A Smooth Ride”

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Paul Frazer Clarke closes out his EP "Five Coordinates" with "Never Been A Smooth Ride"