A recent discovery, there is more material due in 2022 from this Glasgow-based act, but for the time being it is worth considering his last release in 2021, an EP entitled ‘Needed’.
Raised in Kent Pinc Wafer is the artistic moniker for one David Waters, who seems to do all the music and is referred to as a “bedroom, lo-fi artist”. Well if that is the case he is doing a pretty good job, as these tracks have high production values and are blessed with a true funky (BM does not use this word lightly, ever!) vibe which actually recalls peak-era Scritti Politti among other things.
The vocals and instrumentation are deft, like he isn’t really trying too hard, and they also are for the most part upbeat and almost healing in their light touch.
There are five tracks here, and first track ‘Needed’ has an almost summery beat which most reminds BM of Glasgow-based outfit Fauves and the late lamented Boohoohoo… The melding of Motown and indie influences is really quite something, and those vocals, good God (even the chicken at the end, hope he was paid PRS rates…).
‘Molehill’ adds parpy synth to the mix, and the whole thing just sounds effortless – soul and funk beats, even rapping, holy Christ this guy has it all…
And the other tracks are just as impressive, ‘In Love’ gives us a wee McCartney sample (no maybe just BM, but ‘Wonderful Xmas Time’ synth? And ‘My Neck’ funks it up once again, although it is more controlled this time – with some real dynamics in the soundmix – but still ending in quite some wigout – while last track ‘Let It Have Me’ is another righteous banger, with shades of everything from Chic to China Crisis – Wow indeed!
This is yet another unexpected surprise from 2021, maybe it wasn’t all so bad… And look forward to more of this in 2022!