I rather like this thing from CLING.
CLING are Susi Lavender (lyrics/vocals) and Gerald Patient (programming/production). Formed over two years ago - after a long search by Gerald for a vocalist with a distinctive voice and a penchant for the surreal in their lyrics - the music showcased on this two-track CD has a languid and unhurried beauty but significantly has sufficient edge to prevent it from slipping into the over-populated world of bland chill-out.
‘Abandoned’ opens like some instrumental from an old Alan Parson’s Project album but the introduction of Gerald’s light and jazzy beats – incisive but not intrusive, like drum and bass in a slow dream state – soon break the ambient-prog atmosphere. Susi’s near-helium vocals sit prettily atop the electronica and again contain enough body to captivate rather than disappear into the mix. Her simple but imaginative lyrics capture the idea of a wonderful Utopia: imagine an uplifting amalgamation of Massive Attack, Lamb, Jazzanova and Dubstar with a welcome touch of the unknown. ‘Luna_C’ maintains the high standard set by ‘Abandoned’ but is more down-beat in tone and its arrangement is more akin to World music than Western pop without losing the latter’s sensibilities completely.
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CLING skilfully build songs that are deceptively light but in fact contain real depth and texture, the layers of cleverly programmed sounds successfully contrasting and complementing in equal measure.
Warm, unusual and beguiling.
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