Blondes have made their feisty side known in their new release, ‘Love In The Afternoon’.
Their latest EP, Out in the Neighbourhood, was released in 2021, almost two years ago, and it featured ‘Coming Of Age’, their most popular song. Having ample time to cook up greater things, the Nottingham four-piece made a comeback on 9 March 2023 with a new track to show.
‘Love In The Afternoon’ shows how much they have grown musically and stylistically. More complex layering is shown, and they seem to have veered away from their signature warm guitar tone, moving towards a heavier direction.
The plucking of the guitar bursts into bending notes along with a fast-paced, yet steady drum beat. The verse keeps itself toned down, with occasional muted strums creating a tension that ultimately erupts into a chorus, opening with the lines, “My girl in baby blue / Young love in the afternoon”. Through this, Will Potter makes a short and snappy attempt at having listeners intently hear the rest of what he has to sing – and he succeeds.
The track combines aspects of their previous songs, such as the grittiness of ‘Out the Neighbourhood’ and the nostalgic emotion and desperate yearning of ‘Coming Of Age’. Despite this, ‘Love In The Afternoon’ sounds vastly different, the only similarity being Potter’s distinct vocal style. The guitar solo is complemented by a synthesiser section that plays sustained chords, providing a dreamy backdrop for the more aggressive picking. The instrumentation exemplifies the profound feelings that the words express.
Closing with the harmonic unhurried phrasing of the lyrics provides a denouement that ties everything in perfectly. It encapsulates the feeling of a slow burn the song speaks of. The remainder of the song, however, was Blondes ablaze and in their element.
Words by Marinel Dizon
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