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Multidisciplinary South-London artist Daniel Alexander unveils his powerful new track ‘DOUBLEGLAZEDGAZEDOWN’, on up and coming visionary French label Maison Ainsi. The track is now available.
Throughout the solemn three minutes’ song, the singer-songwriter disassembles the idea of pop music as we know it, building the track’s structure by focusing on the lyrics as if they were “notes from the inside of a damaged machine”, he explains. The output embraces anti-sectional forms that retain very little of the traditional single structure, with influences bending post-rock, IDM and alt-R&B into an internalised
21st-century protest blues.
Blending sparse production around lyrics and chord progressions, Daniel Alexander’s songwriting process is closer to spoken word artists such as Gil Scott Heron and Kate Tempest. While in ‘I’m New Here’, The Godfather of Rap’s delivered his poetry on a backdrop of minimalist electro and bass, and Mercury-nominated poet Kate Tempest bases her work on the kinetic agitation of hip-hop, in ‘DOUBLEGLAZEDGAZEDOWN’ the up and coming artist focuses on “transmitting a signal, resonating without preaching”, as he declares.
His subtly spoken political advocacy is cleverly depicted in the documentary poetic mode of the audio-visuals accompanying the single, in which the artist’s lyrics are juxtaposed against graphic images. Daniel reveals that ‘the track is about apathy, the image as tool, and responsibility relinquished.’ The editing explores associations and patterns that evolve around the music and its climax points, field recordings including a woman imploring “please don’t tell me that he’s gone”; forlorn invocations of modern city living.
The former member of a well-known band – signed to a credible UK independent label, who went on to release three albums and tour the world – Daniel Alexander’s current sound was developed from isolation and refusal. An internal refraction of collective dissonance, his solo journey saw his first effort, ‘Trains’ released on French producer and DJ Yuksek’s label Partyfine compilation ‘Partyfine – Vol.2’. Whilst his first standalone single, the double A-side ‘the moments u had but were never at’, was premiered on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 show and released on Acid Air Recordings, and his latest track, ‘Chinooks’ was included on Killing Moon compilation ‘New Moons Vol. VI’
With his live solo credentials already including a performance at Winter Camp Festival, Daniel Alexander’s interest in live visuals will lead to a series of solo performances where imagery and lyrics shift tectonically. Perfecting his craft with each new release, it is Daniel’s ability to consistently create emotionally charged, revelatory music that makes him a standout talent for 2017.