Bright & Findlay – Everything Is Slow
Tom Findlay (of Groove Armada) and James Alexander Bright have finally released “Everything Is Slow” on Athens of the North, their debut album after teasing it with several singles in the past months. The ultra sexy “Slow Dance” is featured here as well (it already came out in late 2021). I think this is the perfect soundtrack for the hot summer we’re going through. Lots of Boogie, Disco, and Funk and mostly using 80s-style keyboards like on the brilliant title track.
“It’s Only Rain” with its subtle guitar opening at first just sounds like a simple slow jam session, but the vocals, part Khruangbin, part Eddie Chacon, move it to otherworldly spheres. All the previously released singles are here, too, like the latest, “Fireflies”, with its nostalgic 80s feel, reminding me of the group Attitude which was produced by Mic Murphy and David Frank in 1983. Album opener “Hello In The Dark (Standing)” also comes close to the Murphy/Frank sound. Slowing it down a bit and with a nonchalant whistle, “When I Look Into The World” is both melancholic and encouraging. The drums/claps on “Leave It All Behind” are pure sunshine.
There is some distraction on “Space & Time”, with a subtle trumpet and subdued vocals. And there are the early 80s again on the thumping, really cool “NY Disco (Smile)” which comes close to the still fascinating “Slow Dance”. The album is out on vinyl!
