What’s the matter with me? I’m a punk, for God’s sake. An artrock loving punk. I don’t like this stuff – do I? Maybe I do. Maybe I’m a more mature punk, with eyes and ears open to the world. Perhaps I no longer discount a style of music merely because it does not conveniently fit into my neat little pigeonholes. Maybe I do need to sit back and take stock somewhat.
All right, so it took several listens, but it just goes to show that there is ‘good’ in everything. This double-A sided single being one of them.
Papa La Bas are a two-piece collaboration with singer and writer Siobhan teaming up with producer Dwyz to release these two tracks as a precursor to the forthcoming debut album. ‘I’ll Come Around,’ opens with a smooth double-bass line that remains prominent throughout. Siobhan’s voice is soft and sweet as it plays in and out of the chilled bass and relaxed beat.
Perhaps the stronger track, however is ‘Middle Lane.’ Instrumentally sounding like something from a science fiction B-movie, it somehow conjures images of an alien space ship landed in a mist-enshrouded swamp. (I very much doubt that was the intention when Papa La Bas set out to write this track, but give it a listen and tell me I’m wrong!) It’s a truly atmospheric track, again featuring the hushed and laid back vocals and must rank as the most unexpectedly good single I have listened to for a very long time.