Description

Lucky Soul are back today with stunning new single lsquoNo Ti Amorsquo ndash the first from their forthcoming third record, entitled lsquoHard Linesrsquo, which will see a release on August 11th on Crystal Paris Records. The band have also been confirmed for a main stage slot at this yearrsquos Indietracks Festival, with news of further live plans and headline shows having previously sold out Londons Lexington, Bush Hall, 100 Club and more expected in the coming weeks. lsquoNo Ti Amorsquo is an unexpected but effortlessly assured return for Lucky Soul unfurling slowly over seven, sunkissed minutes, itrsquos as much a loveletter to lsquoTango In The Nightrsquo, Nile Rogers or Italo disco 12rdquos as it is rooted in the lessexotic realities of modern South London life in which the record was meticulously selfproduced. From its pizzicato strings to looped synth riff, lsquoNo Ti Amorsquo is a perfect reintroduction to a band who seem intent on trying something new, and also something wholly for themselves the results feel escapist, romantic, and creatively rejuvenated. Itrsquos been seven long years since Lucky Soulrsquos critically acclaimed second album, lsquoA Coming Of Agersquo, and a time ndash personally, musically, culturally ndash of oftenextreme change. The initial catalyst for the bandrsquos hiatus came when playing Glastonbury, where singer Ali Howard stoically battled the early stages of morning sickness for the daughter she would go on to have with the bandrsquos lead songwriter, Andrew Laidlaw. Taking time out to focus on their families, the band would reunite occasionally in the studio, setting no deadlines or expectations but indulging in the sheer treat of making music again ndash which, this time, quickly moved away from the ldquoMotown meets Morrisseyrdquo template of their earlier records for a vintage but contemporary mix of disco, protestsoul and electronica from Larry Levan and early Madonna to Marvin Gaye, The Bee Gees, Altered Images and Daft Punk. ldquoDisco is night music, but even the days are dark now,rdquo writes Andrew. ldquoI think wersquore going through the same loss of optimism as in the lsquo70s, so it feels natural to react against the coldness of the times with the warmth of disco.rdquo Whilst the surfaces may shimmer, at its heart lsquoHard Linesrsquo is a record of frustration, anger, and ndash through it all ndash hope, written in response to a world which your new family must attempt to navigate. Soaring torchsong lsquoHurts Like A Bee Stingrsquo, for instance, was composed shortly after the Tories got back into power in 2010, and completed to the backdrop of Brexit in 2016 the tougher, afrobeatfunk of lsquoLivinrsquo On a Question Markrsquo, meanwhile, began life as the riot police marched through Camberwell in 2011, and discusses a timeless sense of disillusionment. Yet here are songs, too, of staying together, and pulling the people that matter close to you see the sultry, progressivelystormy soundscapes of lsquoOne Touchrsquo, or the bittersweet pop rush of lsquoToo Muchrsquo. Its slowbuild conception may have led many to assume that Lucky Soul had gone their separate ways, but the steely determination, hardwon patience and selfdescribed ldquoobsessionrdquo of Laidlawrsquos to get the band together again enriches the textured but instantlyinfectious feel to lsquoHard Linesrsquo. ldquoSeeing the conkers fall every year,rdquo he says now, ldquoI said to myself this needs to finish. In the end it took me to some really dark places of creative psychosis and I had to be threatened to finish it But the last line on the record is ldquokeep it togetherrdquo, so there is hope too and a belief that love can save us. I guess becoming a parent also makes you think harder about the future.rdquo Quite what that future holds for any of us may still be uncertain, but lsquoHard Linesrsquo suggests that itrsquos one with Lucky Soul back in it, right where they belong. Lucky Soul CD is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £5