We’re not usually ones to say ‘we told you so’ but amongst our flippant and ridiculous predictions for the next 12 months, we did say that 2014 would be a great year for music (well, we implied it at least). Here we are, just seven short days in and already we are being proved correct with fantastic new tunes popping up from new and established acts all over the place. One of which came from the returning San Zhi, a duo we adore.
In fact, when last we posted about the pair of Peter Howarth-Brown and Suraya it was to crown their debut Ice Light EP one of our favourite of 2012. Since then they have appeared on a couple of low key tracks and buggered off to France, leaving the bright lights and big city of London for a more tranquil abode in Reims. We could make jokes about what led them to choose the Champagne capital of the country for their new home, but we won’t as they have actually been there working with Guillaume Briere of The Shoes who is producing their debut album.
The first taster we have from it has come in the form of the fantastically uplifting and poppy feeling “Static Hearts”, aka the best slow burn of a song we’ve heard for quite some time. Like a view that just keeps getting wider and better the further down the lane you drive, it is beautifully melodic and aurally tender to begin with before opening up to reveal a stunning vista of layered sounds and arrangements. In fact, the simple piano start and sweet vocal is like the dawn, the adding of layers is you waking up gradually, adding caffeine to your system before the chorus comes and the day bursts into life and you step out to take on the world, a confidence in your gait and a belief in your soul.
Either way, “Static Hearts” is brilliant and we are delighted to be kicking the year off with new music from the pair. We can’t wait for the album.
Alphabet Bands 
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