Sometimes a single sentence is enough to open up an entire world. On the A-side of this single – released as part of a compelling series of leftfield pop experiments by Modern Love – British musician Elaine Howley sings the phrase Hold me in a new way. She repeats it again and again, only to gently expand the plea with Hold me in the shape of love. And suddenly the mind races. What kind of embrace? Why is everything different? What love are we talking about?
You could, of course, ruin it all by trying to explain it. Or you could just come up with your own story. This delicate fragment of backstreet pop thrives not just on its minimal, breathy, near-fragile lyrics, but also on a sound that – like Howley’s voice – shies away from the spotlight. A simply pulsing drum machine beat and a creaky supporting bass do almost all the work. It’s disarmingly effective. And so intimate it feels like listening to a record that was never meant for our ears in the first place.
This is music that, after just a few plays, quietly takes up residence under your skin. There’s a B-side too – not that one is needed – and the Jessy Lanza-esque midnight pop of »CD’s« is undoubtedly a highlight. But really, every word of praise should be saved for the A-side.
