If at some point in your life you have backcombed, crimped or gelled your hair, put on some lace gloves, too much eyeliner and a rainbow make-up, or dressed as a dandy (both highwayman or pirate are acceptable) or Pierrot then the new synthpop release from Jigsaw Sequence + Machina X ,‘Late To The Party’, is going to flash you back to a packed nightclub with a Benson & Hedges in one hand and a Southern Comfort and lemonade, Lager and Black or a snakebite in the other.
Machina X is Annie James and Jigsaw Sequence is Richard Tracey, and it was Tracey who sent over some ideas for the track earlier this year. That began the to-and-fro of swapping melodies and mixes which led to ‘Late To The Party’. The synthesised sounds are crisp with pulsing bass, ice cave drums and keyboard lines that spark in the gaps between the vocals. Hanging it together is the glorious clarity of Annie James’ voice. Listen to any Machina X track and what stands out is Annie’s ability to weave a superlative tune around any arrangement and this track is no exception.
‘Late To The Party’ would work so well on any playlist that hypes you up while you’re getting ready for a night out; dancing wildly round your bedroom or kitchen hairbrush-microphone in hand. All the track needs now is a fisheye lens video set in a laser-filled nightclub swirling with dry ice; Annie singing into a glowstick and Richard rocking a keytar, both in silver jumpsuits.
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LATE TO THE PARTY LYRICS
Did you feel the chemistry?
We shared our vulnerabilities
So far from the possibilities
that could have set us free
Ghosting on adrenalin
We coast between the now and then
Stranger times are back again
This ship has run aground
Late to the party
Always early to leave
Scared by the truth
But always wanting to believe
Undercover and underground
My words got lost without your sound
Took a while to turn it round
Guess the heart wants what it wants
Behind a mask where no-one sees
Hiding for the sake of sanity
‘cos hearts like mine bruise easily
When they’re washed up on the shore
Late to the party
Always early to leave
Scared of the truth
But still wanting to believe
Late to the party
Always early to leave
Scared of the truth
But still wanting to believe
Late to the party
Always early to leave
Scared of the truth
But still wanting, wanting, wanting, yeahhhh
Bleeding from the words you said
They left their mark like infrared
Now walls I’d built inside my head
Came crashing to the floor
Cos When it came to you and me
Well nothing ever came for free
Consequences and casualties
from the wreckage that was us
Late to the party
Always early to leave
Scared of the truth
But still wanting to believe
Late to the party
Always early to leave
Scared of the truth
But still wanting, wanting, wanting
Music & Words – Richard Tracey/Annie James
Review by Paul F Cook
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