THE LEISURE SOCIETY

An increase in the popularity of classicist pop records appears to be a reaction to mainstream music’s seemingly endless trot away from that which is pure, lovingly pored over and content in its own referentiality. An appreciation of ‘the song’ represents a push towards something pure and timeless as a form of traditional/subversive substance. “Fuck you and your trap bullshit, man, I’m gonna listen to Rufus Wainwright.” That’s what we say. And why the devil not? The brainchild of Nick Hemming, formerly of She Talks To Angels (which famously counted Shane Meadows and Paddy Considine as members) Leisure Society’s creations are testament to meticulous songcraft. Bringing together folky melodies, quirky pop traits and even the occasional polite nod to soul sway, a shameless love for a delicious chorus cut through by a retro synth line could see them compared to the likes of Kotki Dwa, or perhaps, in their more grandiose moments (see the sublime The Sober Scent of Paper), a National-lite. While you won’t be phoning up your mate at four in the morning to tell them they have to hear this Alone Aboard The Ark record, you’ll certainly be slipping it on one afternoon and preparing to field endless questions about who’s it by.

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Words: Rich Bitt