Beautiful Lie
~ Nostalgia 77

Description

The “Beautiful Lie EP”, out now, is a follow-up to Nostalgia 77’s fourth solo album ‘The Sleepwalking Society’. The album came out in March, gaining high acclaim and support across BBC 6 Music, Radio 1, Radio 2, NME Radio and beyond, and this EP expands on the new sound with a selection of exclusive new bonus cuts.

Drawing deeply on folk and blues influences, ‘The Sleepwalking Society’ found Benedic Lamdin - the producer, composer and guitarist behind Nostalgia 77 - embarking on a change of direction, digging deep and exploring his talent as a songwriter and lyricist, and moving away from the largely instrumental form of his previous records. For someone who has made his name as a lynchpin of the London jazz scene, this stylistic leap was a bold one, and it has paid off in spades both artistically and critically. On unveiling this compelling set of confessional, potent and delicate songs – not to mention a new secret weapon in the luxuriantly-voiced German singer Josa Peit - he pulled off the twin feats of delighting his existing fanbase and opening up the ears of a whole new audience.

The original album version of the Bert Jansch-influenced “Beautiful Lie” leads this EP, bringing the crystal-pure vocals of Josa Peit to the fore; and a selection of exclusive bonus versions expand on the new sound in all directions. The Natural Magnetic Remix, recorded especially for this release, sees Nostalgia 77 himself, along with label-mate Natural Self and Rory Simmons of Fringe Magnetic, reworking the track with the addition of lush, evocative strings and the spacious hum of lilting, reverb-heavy bass; this is folk for the post-dubstep age.

Other treats for your ears include a Live Version and an Examples Of Twelves Remix of album track “Golden Morning”, a shimmering ray of uplifting psychedelic folk. The live recording strips this glorious piece right back to the most hushed of lullabies; whereas on the remix, acclaimed London trio Examples Of Twelves inject a driving rhythm, stirring up a powerful atmosphere of euphoria edged with suspense, evoking the moment the sun peeks up over the horizon after a momentous night. Hearing both versions back-to-back is quite an experience.

The EP also features a live version of “Beautiful Lie”; and the Dexter Remix of “Simmerdown” (the first single, which has had over 70,000 YouTube hits). The rising German producer takes this timeless part-gospel, part-soul song into the realms of contemporary electronica. Also being released alongside the EP is a video to the album track “Hush”.