Honesty without sensitivity veers dangerously close to being undermining rather than constructive: Oscar + Martin masterfully unite the two. Singing about attempting to win a girl with song could be predictable but Oscar Slorach-Thorn infuses his unique perspective into a habitual topic, divulging insight in humility and open-mindedness, as he does in My Blood. Composed on mostly Casio keyboards and permeating in sweet vocal harmonies, Oscar + Martin’s debut album, For You, is a hypnotic fusion of skittering electro beats, pulsating hip hop, warm R’n’B grooves and soulful pop. Featuring the sublime vocals of Otouto’s Hazel Brown, My Blood is extremely charming without being mawkish.
Although the bulk of For You is centred on the archetypal subjects of falling in love and breaking up, the record is far from sentimental; the mystical nature of its imagery, enlightened perspective and zesty creativity are distilled into clear, fresh and meticulously-crafted pop songs. The forces behind defunct, acclaimed quintet Psuche, Slorach-Thorn and Martin King ensure their new entity is distinctive. They leave behind Psuche’s abstract, complex aesthetic, instilling an explorative air into a deceivingly minimalist approach – harnessed by the strength of trippy infectious rhythms, alluring vocal harmonies and delectably warm melodies.
Following For You‘s enticing opener, the listener is enveloped by Chaine Maile‘s ethereal electro-lined gospel-pop before enteringOyster‘s tribal percussive landscape where Oscar’s engaging vocals shift from hollers to a gorgeous tenor. The blissfully sweet Lions Heart leads into the album’s more varied second half: most intriguing are the psychedelic/trance-pop of What I Know and the wonky beats/eerie drones-laden Milk. But the album’s intoxicating gems Recognise (inspired by a woman’s moving speech at her son’s funeral) and Do The Right Thing (a number to lift the loneliest of moods) are left until the very end.
For You is impossibly infectious: immediate, breezy, wistful but also daring. Oscar + Martin’s art-pop/R&B-hop memoir on broken hearts is one of the year’s most uplifting pop records.
Best Track: Do The Right Thing
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Pip OTOUTO, Psuche PSUCHE, Hello Satellites HELLO SATELLITES
In A Word: Uplifting
