"I grew up on a lot hip hop and old soul, but then I got into a lot of folk and just songwriting, that standard singer-songwriter stuff. I think we’ve been told that we pull from a lot of different places ... probably subconsciously. I don’t think we ever had it in our minds to copy from any certain genres, in any obvious way ... it just kind of was or it wasn’t".
Asa Taccone, PopMatters
Five years after their last EP, Good America (2013), LA duo Electric Guest (multi-instrumentalists Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton) have released "Dear To Me", a track from their upcoming sophomore LP. The 70s-inspired track features Taccone's dreamy falsettos, Haim's backing vocals during the chorus, and vintage synths. Its a great example of their ability to create a brand of Motown-influenced "soulful, funked-up pop so insidiously catchy you suspect it was designed as a homage to – even a pastiche of – the originators of the form" (Paul Lester, The Guardian), as well as their ability to effectively blend in influences from diverse genres.
While their music is most often categorized as indie pop, their 'organic' use of synths have also earned the labels of indietronica, dream pop, and electronic rock. Whatever label you might want to put on it, there's no denying that their latest track offers a soothing listening experience with its intimate, soul-baring lyrics and upbeat - yet subtly poignant - melody:
"This is possibly my favorite song from our new album. It came from the heart. Matthew (my bandmate) had a job at this studio in LA that had all of these old synthesizers from the 70s and 80s lying around. I came in one afternoon for just a few hours and we played around with as many of the instruments as we could, then recorded most of the rest of the song in my bedroom. One of the Haim girls lives down the street from me, so one day all three sisters came over with some other friends of mine and after hanging out for a few hours we went into my little studio and recorded the chorus vocals. I recorded them on one mic. It’s easy with them because they’re been singing together for years so they blend super well" (Asa Taccone, The Fader).
Though the lyrics are simple, they create an earnest and touching portrait of personal devotion (a quality that was not as apparent in their earlier work):
'Always on the waterWhen the night comes downI can't figure it outBack to going nowhere
Don't know why you want itThought that we fade outSometimes only doubtShow you what you want
When it's badFeels like I don't know which way I should goBut over time I come back and rememberThe one thing that I know
You're dear to me and I knowYou're dear to me and I knowWhen you feel like it's gone awayYou're dear to me and I know'
Lyrics: MetroLyrics
It comes with an apt black and white video that features scenes of intimacy with the duo's family and close friends (including the Haim sisters and comedian Andy Samberg, who is in the Lonely Island comedy troupe with Asa's brother Jorma Taccone).
