Slow Club - Complete Surrender

Der Slow Club kann mittlerweile auf die Veröffentlichung von drei Alben zurückblicken: 2009 erschien das Debütalbum "Yeah So", dem 2011 "Paradise" folgte, das sich in den unteren Regionen (Platz 70) der britischen Charts positionieren konnte. Seit heute steht nun "Complete Surrender" in den Plattenläden. Vorab erschien der Titelsong als Single:

Der Slow Club besteht aus den aus Sheffield stammenden Mitgliedern Charles Watson und Rebecca Taylor, die sich musikalisch sehr wandelbar zeigen. Auf den elf neuen, von Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley) produzierten Songs lassen sie sich von Michael Jackson und Marvin Gaye (Watson) bzw. Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt und Fleetwood Mac (Taylor) beeinflussen und präsentieren glamourösen Indiepop mit einem ordentlichen Retro-Touch, Motown-Einschlag, schwelgenden Streichern hier, pointierten Bläsern da und schönem Girl/Boy-Gesang. Fast alles zu hören in "Suffering You, Suffering Me":

Der Slow Club und "Complete Surrender" in der Plattenkritik:

The album opens at a more subtle pace, with 'Tears of Joy' taking that Sixties influence and showcasing a love song packed full of electric wah-wah guitar strums and sultry arrangements. The vocals remain at the forefront of Slow Club's production and it's in this that we witness their growth as songwriters - producing song structures that are catchy yet subtle, organic yet sleeker than ever before. The polished construction enables us to appreciate the smaller details, such as the gentle, electric strumming melody of 'Everything is New' and the encompassing horn additions to 'The Queen's Nose'. The latter is the most quintessentially Sixties-style offering, with on-the-beat strums and key changes and yet the band are able to craft it into something entirely unique; mixing this instrumentation to create a modern day love song with a comforting quality.

Paring back the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach of old shows us a band that are more self-assured than ever before. Gone are the over encompassing structures and instead, we're presented with gorgeous stripped back offerings, such as the piano accompanied 'Number One'; teamed only with soft, deepened harmonies, it's the rare glimpse of Watson's solo efforts at the beginning of this song that make it that little bit more special. Once Taylor joins, it's an undeniable, triumphant ballad that proves the 'less is more' approach can often produce truly magical moments. (...)

Sleeker, stronger and more confident than ever, on Complete Surrender Slow Club flourish with each strum and every breath. They've perfectly blended their skills of pop, folk and soul to produce pounding dance anthems, breath-taking ballads and nostalgic marvels that are so perfectly placed in the track listing, you'll never be skipping for your favourite. Beginners, they are not.
(Drowned In Sound)

Der Slow Club live in Deutschland:
30.10.14 Hamburg, Molotow
31.10.14 Berlin, Magnet Club
01.11.14 München, Atomic Café