When you see and hear Curse of Lono for the first time, you know that here is a band that is special. They are from London, formed by Felix Bechtolsheimer (ex Hey Negrita) in 2015, with the addition of drummer Neil Findlay, also from Hey Negrita. The rest of the group consists of Joe Hazell, lead guitar, Charis Anderson, bass and Dani Ruiz Hernandez, keyboards.
These four tracks are more than enough to whet the appetite of any music lover: Five Miles High tenders and holds a promise: “When they come for me I’ll run like hell” with a driving bass line and a howling guitar, you are trapped by the music. London Rain continues and further emphasises the noirish generic field of the songs. “Let my shadow be.” And again, there is a driving rhythm with prominent keys, fully produced (by Oli Bayston), all affirming one’s attraction to the music.
He Takes My Place is a track that you naturally play again and again; it’s that good. In fact, in performance the song crystallises how Felix has broadened his repertoire. “The story of the future has begun,’ he sings, and it is his voice, the gentle strumming of the guitar, and the playing of the violin, all together in their simplicity, that hold you in that simplicity. This is a pivotal track in the four track set. The final track continues the setting, with a personal thought that “If I give you a smile and give you a song, / Everything’s gonna be all right.”
These four songs form the soundtrack for a short film of interconnected videos directed by Alex Walker, shot by Bart Sienkiewicz and starring Grant Masters and Marta Hermida. Go out of your way to watch these videos. They underline how important Curse of Lono is, how cinematic their music is, and how moving amid the ruggedness of contemporary life, is the emotional force of the downbeat. Can’t wait for Curse of Lono’s full album which follows this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHabGLnzKH0
Summary
A debut EP that will capture your heart
