After a storming end to 2013 (with the release of the brilliant ”’Til Infinity” and a surprising and sublime Beyoncé cover) Brighton’s Iyes had the bog world salivating with excitement. We, the collective blog mind we mean, had been waiting to see if they could deliver on the promise of their earlier demos and boy, we were not disappointed. Having teamed up with the very new and seemingly already very very cool Duly Noted records, with those two tracks Josh Christopher and Melis Soyaslanová were showing us that our expectation and enthusiasm was well placed.
Of course the worry after releasing such a universally acclaimed track is how to follow it up, what do you do and can you sustain the quality and exhilaration? If you’re Iyes, the answer is simple. Enlist equally red-hot right now MNEK on production duties and take the opportunity to sex things up a little.
“Breathe” has a soft and sensual feel to it, with elements of sultry hazy heat thrown in for good measure. Josh’s backing vocals are a steamy whispered echo behind the ear of Melis’ cool seductive tones. The beat cavorts with the electronic melody, not in a rough and tumble sort of way though, oh no, this is a much more elegant consummation of sound. Think ball gowns, champagne and slow luxuriant indulgences of the flesh rather than a quick knee trembler in a car park or similar.
All this and the chorus is still subtly infectious and very electro-pop friendly; and just when you thought it was reaching its, ahem, climax, a second wind is found and further layers of aural ecstasy are reached. “Breathe” is another stunning track from a duo operating at the top of their game.
”Breathe” is released on 5 May via Duly Noted Records. Iyes will be playing Gold Dust at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on 16 April.
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