Woman's Hour announced their return last October in smouldering fashion with the understated "Our Love Has No Rhythm". Since the now London based quartet have been steadily playing live shows around the capital before earlier this week announcing their new single (backed by the aforementioned "Our Love..") To The End (released via Parlour Records on April 8th - pre-order now).
No, not a cover of the marvellous Blur song of the same name (nor the even better duet with Françoise Hardy that was the highlight of the "Country House" single), "To The End" is an unhurried track that's even more liable to be described as luxurious, slow-motion bliss, with vocalist Fiona Burgess' romantic coos and carefully orchestrated electronic nuances guiding restrained percussion it's as beautiful and fragile as anything 2013 has offered us so far.
Returning after an extended period in the recording studio are Woman's Hour with new song "Our Love Has No Rhythm", those of you who lapped up their excellent debut 7" 'Human / Jenni' (on the ever reliable Dirty Bingo label) will not be disappointed by the smooth, late-night tempo where sparse synths and alluring guitars combine with Fiona Burgess' smouldering vocals to potent effect, understated and restrained "Our Love Has No Rhythm" punctures emotions all the same.
The band are due to release a new single next year but for now you can download this beauty free from the bands new website. Woman's Hour and another band blogged here multiple times this year, TOPS have been added to the bill with the wonderful Still Corners at The Lexington on November 12th, an unmissable line-up - details.
I had a blog about Woman's Hour ready for posting last week, I somehow managed to delete it before it was posted, clever hey, so consider this my second attempt. I've the memory of a sieve so I can't remember what it said, pretty much my normal thing, endless gushing praise and numerous adjectives to describe the (now) London based four pieces debut.
"Human" is the perfect introduction to the band, sparse soundscapes that utilise a similar sense of space and craftsmanship that took The xx to the top of the stratosphere last year. The opening three minutes of "Human" is a sumptuous marriage of subtle, relaxed electronic pulses, restrained shimmering guitars and the irresistible vocals of Fiona Burgess, at the half way point it morphs into a hopeful anthem with the repeated, euphoric exclamation of "oh, I'll get there, yes, I'll get there, even if I am scared", everything about it is really quite exquisite.
"Jenni" sits more in Wild Beasts territory (they share a producer) with calypso melodies and echoey rhythmic grooves. The double-a side is released December 5th through Dirty Bingo (order), the same label who brought us the wonderful Novella single and is highly recommended, a future collectors piece no doubt.
One thing my old post did have was a recommendation to see them play yesterday at Lock Tavern alongside Hella Better Dancer, unless you're off to see Doc Brown later that might be a bit tough now. I went and it was as fine a way to spend the last part of my weekend as I could think of, Woman's Hour did this particularly interesting take on "Heroes" which other than using a few lines of it's lyrics sound absolutely nothing like the original. They next play in South London on November 16th, entry just £1.50 - full details.
