This new single from Bristol's Typesun is a bit of a mystery. The vocals are puzzling and the vocalist himself has even chosen to remain anonymous, suggesting this one cuts close to the bone.
It's certainly an emotionally charged tale of trying to avoid feelings for someone - the trepidation that comes when you are falling a little faster than intended. The vocals are smooth and soulful in their delivery but, much like the track itself, understated.
The music is tense, reflecting the song's emotional state, at fracture not quite at that point when it explodes. The live drums and bass that subtly builds throughout that track perfectly match the lyrics, even building to a crescendo halfway through, but the singer just about reigns it in: "Keep it on the DL, I think I'm feeling PL: player's love crept up on me". We're left in the half anxious, half dreamy and spell-bound musical backing, the vocals seemingly silenced by their creator whilst the feelings remain.
On the flip is a remix from Behling & Simpson, who give it a deep, hard garage makeover. Tough looping beats and a lo fi bass line give this a really old school sound that opens up to a love-struck sounding second half. A nice, fresh sounding take but it lacks the innovation and feeling of the original.
With an album due to follow, The PL marks an exciting start to 2013. This recalls both the late-90s nu soul movement and some of Britain's best mid-nineties soul-dance cross-over artists such as Soul II Soul. I can't wait to hear more.
The PL is out today on Root Elevation, available for purchase digitally from Amazon.co.uk [affiliate link]. Hear Gilles Peterson play the track on his radio show: