everything but the girl

Ben Watt, the male half of Everything But The Girl, just released the laid back title track from his forthcoming solo album.

Described as a "folk rock album in an electronic world", "Hendra" is Mr. Watt's first longplayer without his companion and co-star, Tracey Thorn, since his debut, "North Marine Drive", which was released thirty-one years ago. Ben's latest features the extraordinary axe-wielding talents of Bernard Butler.



"Hendra", released on Unmade Road, Ben's new label, will hit the "shops" on April 14. It will be available on CD in standard and deluxe editions. Also, a heavyweight vinyl version will be available for those of you with a licorice platter fetish.

a little night music

Tracey Thorn, everyone's favorite songstress, is about to return with a brand new single. Huzzah! Let's shed a little light on the situation.

In the summer of 2010, The xx asked Tracey Thorn and her long-time partner in EBTG Ben Watt to record a track from their debut album for a special compilation the band were commissioning. The collection was going to be covers of the album's songs by their favourite artists. Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition. However, before the collapse of the project, Tracey had sung her version of one the album most beautiful tracks, "Night Time".

Now, after being shelved for nearly a year, the track will appear on a three track EP. The appropriately titled "Night Time" will be available from all fine "shops" on October 31. It will be released in two configurations - a 12 inch single for those who love the smell of vinyl and a digital bundle for those who prefer their tunes in the shape of zeros and ones.

The tracklisting for the 12 inch single will feature "Night Time" as the lead track, natch! Tracey's EBTG partner, Ben Watt, guests on guitars and backing vocals which makes it the first time they have recorded together in over a decade. Additionally, it will include remixes of "Swimming", on of the most popular tracks from Ms. Thorn's most recent solo longplayer, "Love And Its Opposite". The track has been reswizzled by Visionquest and underground house legend, Charles Webster.

Visionquest urn in a slightly organic, beefed up version which is draped in shades of "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac. Mr. Webster turns in a sparkling remix with a slightly bossa nova feel to it. The digital bundle will include a dub mix by Charles Webster as a bonus track.

love among the thorns

Tracey Thorn has emerged from the wilderness with her third, solo longplayer, "Love And Its Opposite", in hand. It's the follow up to "Out Of The Woods" and has a more acoustic feel than the electro folk slant of its predecessor.

The cover art for the new album is designed by John Gilsenan who is responsible for all the acclaimed artwork at Tracey's new label, Strange Feeling Records, and its sister label, Buzzin' Fly, both of which are owned and operated by her long term partner and EBTG cohort, Ben Watt.

John gave the following quote regarding the cover art: "I was inspired by the lyrics and mood of the record - the way family relationships can get more complicated and messed up with time. I found a stock photo - a family portrait - that was formal but also a bit decadent, and then just went to work on it. I tried to capture the same feeling in the typeface - formal but a bit fancy."

Through the magic of the interwebs, you can download the album's opening track, "Oh, The Divorces!", right here if you are so inclined. It's a lovely, subdued, acoustic piano number with Tracey's achingly beautiful voice draped over the top.

"Love And Its Opposite" will be available at all fine "shops" on May 17. The album is ten songs strong. It includes eight originals and two covers - "Late In The Afternoon" by Lee Hazelwood and "You Are A Lover" which was originally recorded by Unbending Trees.

Cast your eyes upon the full tracklisting.

1. Oh, The Divorces!
2. Long White Dress
3. Hormones
4. Kentish Town
5. Why Does The Wind?
6. You Are A Lover
7. Singles Bar
8. Come On Home To Me
9. Late In The Afternoon
10. Swimming