Americana UK-favourites The Delines return with a terrific new single that will get you up and moving and is sure to be a future highlight in their captivating live shows. “Left Hook Like Frazier” is an upbeat song but the feel contrasts with the theme Willy Vlautin explores with his wonderfully insightful lyrics, full of great narrative details. The opening lines throw us straight into a tale of broken-hearted people who seem to inevitably form relationships that damage them even more: “That first boy had gotten out of juvie and was living in his aunt’s garage // He had a way of talking and he looked dangerous and he was.” It could be the intro’ to one of Vlautin’s acclaimed novels and sets the lyrical tone immediately.
Vlautin says of the song: “‘Left Hook Like Frazier’ is the poppiest side of The Delines but inside that is the idea that the broken-hearted are often attracted to those who will break them even more.” Indeed, it is the ‘poppier’ side of a band famed for their soulful brand of Americana. At the heart of this sound are Vlautin’s bright, jangling guitar and multi-instrumentalist Cory Gray – his keys and trumpet transform the song with soaring melody over the top of Freddie Trujillo’s soothing bass. As ever, it is Amy Boone’s world-weary voice that makes the Portland-based band so distinctive; it’s a voice made for storytelling and the perfect match for Vlautin’s words and cinematic song-craft.
Already one of my favourite Delines songs!