News of Edwyn Collins's recovery from a life-threatening stroke/superbug combo was warmly received chez play it as it lays, and he's continued to shun the gates of Hades by recording a new album despite having only recently learnt to speak again, and without having regained the use of his right arm. His new single "You'll Never Know" is a charming wee number, effortless white soul crooning utop elderflower backing; like Jack Johnson but with a sage, bruised vulnerability that add crucial drops of bitter to the sweetness. Guaranteed to softly uplight a corner of a late summer's day. I sadly don't have the skills to give you an mp3, but listen to it with the video over at Partizan.
Don't turn in disgust at an mp3-less post just yet though, as I've got this overlooked little gem from Collins's 2002 album Doctor Syntax. "Jonny Teardrop" is full of the kind of sassiness usually meted out upon society by the Pussycat Dolls, the Latin shuffle bringing to mind moustachioed guitarists lustfully gazing at tango dancers crazed by rhythm. Collins goes one further and sets his twisted love story in a dusky mermaid's cocktail bar - the echoes and muffled, clanking piano combined with the liquid vocal and coral guitar make for unique underwater R'n'B. I'm still holding out on the heavenly J-Lo/Collins collabo that will make my musical year.
Edwyn Collins - Jonny Teardrop
"You'll Never Know" is out on 9th September, and his new album Home Again follows on the 17th.
No comments:
Post a Comment