Song: Stubborn Heart – ‘Starting Block’
‘Starting Block’ is the latest release from sublime ‘electronic soul’ duo Stubborn Heart, following the fantastic ‘Need Someone’ EP, and preceding the release of their forthcoming debut LP on One Little Indian. The band can generally be categorized by a juggling of schizophrenic drum rhythms with Luca Santucci’s soft and romantic vocals, often creating ethereal hooks through isolated vocal harmonies, but also occasionally disregarding all this for fierce bass drops and dark, doomy beats. This diversity is essentially their greatest asset, and they manage to maintain it without ever damaging their integrity.
‘Starting Block’ follows straight on from the EP, with some ceaselessly complex beats consisting of handclaps, woodblocks and programmed hi-hats against a subdued backdrop of dusky Thom Yorke synth chords. From here, Santucci guides the track once more with only the occasional lash of percussion to distract from another hugely enchanting delivery. I can’t compliment this band enough, this is fantastic stuff.
