Aussie music heavyweight Chet Faker and South London local Marcus Marr joined forces on the release of their four-track EP Work.
Released via Faker’s own Detail Records/Downtown Records, the EP is the brainchild of four days studio time that resulted from a spontaneous Twitter exchange. Thank God for the internet.
Off the back of the monster success of his debut LP Built on Glass, Faker is back and ready to share some new tunes before he kicks off his upcoming Australian tour. Down a beard and up a new musical partner in crime, Faker has been experimenting with some new sounds in the lull between albums.
The opening track is the delightfully titled Birthday Card, an upbeat electro track laced with Faker’s iconic indie-folk musings. Almost eight minutes in length, the track has room to borrow from a variety of genres and styles. Propelled by a thumping bass line, the track transitions from mellow pop one minute to jacked up house beats the next. Divided by a gyrating guitar solo in the middle of the song, the track leads you to expect the unexpected from the forthcoming songs.
Next up is The Trouble With Us, a funk-infused pop track that had the honour of being the duo’s first single off the EP. Fuelled by catchy hooks and a funk-flecked guitar riff, it’s a fun-filled track that would be an absolute killer live. An homage to the struggle between physical and emotional relationships, lyrics such as “you let me under your dress, but you won’t show me your heart” demonstrate Faker’s knack for tongue in cheek songwriting. By far the most radio-friendly track of the EP, it clocks in just under 4 minutes and stands as the shortest song on the album.
Easing in with an ethereal opening, Learning For Your Love soon explodes into a spellbinding patchwork of electro-soul. A true experimentation of styles, its underlined by repetitive piano bars, Marr’s electro-pop creations and toe-tapping percussion. Plus, Faker’s clever wordplay and soulful vocals really drive it home.
The closing song – Killing Jar – really showcases the balance the London-based DJ and Aussie folk-pop prodigy achieved on Work. Another relatively-catchy one, you’ll find yourself swaying mindlessly to soulful melodies, singing along to catchy choruses and getting lost in a fusion of guitar riffs and synth.
Available as of 4th December 2015, Work is a symmetry of two sonic worlds that usually keep their distance. The fusion of electro beats and soulful indie pop vocals makes for a combination that is challenging, compelling and easy on the ears. If you’re still pining for Faker’s follow up album, Work should be enough to keep you satisfied in the interim.
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‘Work’ is out now and you can grab a copy here.
