‘Instant Coffee’ by Asylums | New Album, ‘Signs Of Life’
Exclusive video premiere of ‘Instant Coffee’ by Asylums, taken from their upcoming album, ‘Signs Of Life’, out October 28th via Cool Thing Records.
Asylums return on September 27th with a euphoric, world-beating pop song called ‘Instant Coffee’ the follow-up to their recent critically acclaimed comeback singles ‘Crypto Klepto’, ‘Scatterbrain’ and ‘Understand the Psychology’.
Not since their much-loved single ‘Joy In A Small Wage’ have Asylums articulated their melodic and melancholic dimension so well – this time adding drummer Henry Tyler’s string arrangements into the mix. On ‘Instant Coffee’ the band entwines the fragile introspection of early Kurt Vile and Cat Power with the late 90’s song smithery of Blur and The Cardigans. The results are uplifting, soul searching and further evidence that Asylums are on top form for their forthcoming album ‘Signs of Life’, due October 28th.
Friends of the band Andrew Delaney (Director) and JJ Eringa (Editor) collaborated with the band on the kaleidoscopic video for ‘Instant Coffee’. ‘Signs of Life’ was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with genre-bending Manic Street Preachers producer Dave Eringa in the driving seat. As well as dialling the rock action up to 10, this record also draws from the likes of R.E.M., The Magnetic Fields and The Beatles who all arguably made some of their best work during a live hiatus.
Producer Dave Eringa on ‘Instant Coffee: “It’s like all of Luke’s songwriting to date has been leading up to ‘Instant Coffee’, a beautifully melancholic perfect pop song with real depth! Late 90’s Albarn meets the great bits of American indie at a classical concert & they all get together for a party!”.
Alongside their work as a band, Asylums have helped to nurture a roster of equally creative individuals with their Cool Thing Records label team – putting out amazing records by the likes of BLAB, A Cause In Distress and many more, whilst still finding time to run a bi-weekly arts advocacy radio show called ‘Cool Thing Presents’ which airs in London and New York on the Culture channel of Soho Radio.
Asylums play a FREE headline show at Rough Trade East on October 29th 2022.
Producer Dave Eringa on ‘Signs Of Life’: “When Luke said he wanted to do an album at Rockfield in 8 days – all played live & to integrate big strings into their sound – it sounded so ridiculous I thought “let’s do this”! Only a band that can really play can do this kind of recording. No clicks, no tricks – all live off the floor, a few judicious overdubs, some amazing string arrangements from musical polymath Henry & a bizarre interruption from Countryfile – it was a pretty intense week and I couldn’t be prouder of them for what they achieved! They’ve really taken themselves to the next level!”
The world has changed, Asylums have changed…but one thing remains valid, making music is still an essential craft and serves as basic human medicine for many musicians and listeners alike.
Headline photo: Alistair Underwood
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