BELAU, ft. SZÉCSI BÖBE – REDEFINE
Not that well known in the UK, though they played a new album (The Odyssey) – supporting gig in London in November, BELAU is a Hungarian Grammy winner (yes, there is such a thing) in the electronic category. BELAU originally started as a solo project by Péter Kedves in 2015. He was inspired by his travels and adventures abroad. Refreshingly, BELAU aims to create a constant buoyant mood and a sense of optimism with a ‘summery’ feel, supported by innovative electronic beats. (DB)
Fenne Lily – For a While
“Stripped back” is a particularly apt term for the Bristol-based Dorset girl Fenne Lily. Most of her songs so far have been just her, singing very softly and sweetly, and an acoustic guitar. Latterly, however, she had been shifting in the direction of a bigger band sound, such as on her previous single, ‘Three oh Nine’. ‘For a While’ marks a hiatus in that course as her elegant vocal delivery takes centre stage again though the synth interludes that appear and gain in intensity throughout the track suggest that bigger sound is also going to be around for a while. (DB)
Cape Cub – Searchlight
The soulful Cape Cub recently released his new single ‘Searchlight’. It would not be far short of the mark to say that Chad Male could emote for England and there’s more than enough passion on this song to attract a legion of followers. His harmonies are notably strong and more than make up for lyrics that are sometimes a little wayward or bland (“There’s light through the shade but it’s holding a cloud full of rain”/“I just want to hold back your tears, I just want to know that you’re here.”) (DB)
Still Circles – Only Noise
Sinuous beats laced with haunting female vocal harmonies, Still Circles sumptuous ‘Only Noise’ is an ethereal gem, the crystal clear capture of a moment in time and the emotional epiphany of realising you can’t live without someone else. With hints of the vocal interplay of Warpaint and the subtle productional values of the xx and trip-hop beats redolent of early Massive Attack. This is a slice of pure enveloping beauty like a warm blanket on a bone-chilling day.(BC)
Photo: Cape Cub by Jodie Canwell
