Bas Jan release their new album ‘Back To The Swamp’ on November 10th on Fire Records. Today sees the release of brand new single and video for ‘No More Swamp’ ahead of their UK tour and a special BBC 6Music live session with Riley and Coe broadcast from Maida Vale on 20th September.
After the glorious anarchic headrush of ‘Baby U Know’ in all its “messy majesty”, Back To The Swamp is a coming-of-age record; a heady tussle between their incorrigible DIY ethics where the swamp is an analogy for smudged beginnings and simpler times.
Upbeat synth pop track ‘No More Swamp’ unearths the messy egoist uncertainty and freedom of your old life versus modern life and responsibilities.
“I feel so different to how I was when Bas Jan started. I was trying to explore that in the lyrics.” Adds Steer
The single’s new video sees the band taking to the swampy marshlands of London for an unearthly music video that has a B-movie feel and features costumes by Nat Sharp (aka Lone Taxidermist).
Kristian Craig Robinson and Leo Abrahams bring their unique and complementary sonic richness as co-producers allowing Serafina Steer, Charlotte Stock, Emma Smith and Rachel Horwood to create something of a shape-shifter as their first track ‘At The Counter’ identifies.
These new studio recordings feature more accomplished pop production; they’re more direct and filled with cerebral one-liners that pluck at the senses. And, there’s a nod to an eclectic mix of influences; The Pet Shop Boys, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Kate Bush, Heaven 17 and Jon Hassell by way of Brian Eno; it’s an eclectic dinner party.
Casting an examining eye over modern times, lost love, Tarot intuition and long days in an everyday swamp. Awash with lush chorale effects, orchestral hewn loops, pin sharp electronic beats and sublime harmonies. Back To The Swamp is filled with thought-provoking stories, it’s a reflective worldview. It’s a polished and poignant collection of perfectly-crafted pop songs that retains their authentic indie edginess.
Witches, Tarot readings, road signs, Salt-N-Pepa namechecks and a river all cried out, welcome to the swamp…
LIVE DATES
24 Sep: Moth Club, London, UK, w/ Half Japanese
01 Nov: Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK*
02 Nov: Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, UK*
03 Nov: Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, UK
04 Nov: Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, UK
08 Nov: The Exchange, Bristol, UK*
09 Nov: Modern Art, Oxford, UK*
10 Nov: Fulford Arms, York
11 Nov: Soup Kitchen, Manchester, UK*
29 Nov: Two Palms, London, UK
*w/ Pictish Trail
