My adoration for British singer/songwriter Clare Maguire is well documented on this blog. While I first became obsessed with her debut album of hauntingly beautiful, epic pop tunes, for me…it’s always been about her voice. So much character. Her latest song, a collaboration with Drum & Bass producer/remixer and DJ High Contrast (AKA Lincoln Barrett) is nothing short of stunning. “Who Do You Love” Part 2 features a simple yet gorgeous piano melody that eventually builds into an almost cinematic orchestral instrumental, complemented throughout by High Contrast‘s brand of glitchy, head-bobbing drum’n’bass beats. The highlight for me (obviously) is Clare Maguire‘s vocal, minimal as it may be in this song. Here’s hoping Part 1 (“Coming Soon“) features the stunning siren more prominently. The song will be released September 29th via Virgin EMI.
Clare Maguire is the epitome of the kind of artist I look for on Music Is My King Size Bed. Not only is she a gifted songwriter (you know, one of the ones that doesn’t require a team of co-horts to craft a single hook) but her voice is so so unique and original. The sound that comes out of her mouth is almost otherworldly. Deep…bluesy…emotive…oh so powerful.
While she’s been taking her sweet time working on her followup to 2011’s Light After Dark (Polydor) Maguire has been steadily releasing covers and some originals via SoundCloud, culminating earlier this year with the release of her self-titled EP (Virgin EMI Records) (iTunes). The EP featured 2 originals (“Paper Thin,” “Whenever You Want It“) plus beautiful covers; Joni Mitchell‘s “The Last Time I Saw Richard” and “Black Coffee” (not the All Saints song) a classic from the late 40s that’s been sung by Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sinead O’Connor, Katie Melua and Petula Clark to name a few. Still no word on Clare Maguire‘s sophomore album, but she’s hard at work, that’s for sure. It’s just a matter of time.
I first became aware of Welsh DnB producer, High Contrast after hearing his remix of Adele‘s “Hometown Glory” (he’s also done remixes for Foxes, Robyn, The Streets, Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Imogen Heap, Stevie Nicks, London Grammar). He released his debut album, True Colours, back in 2002 via Hospital Records with both singles, (“Return of Forever” and “Global Love“) charting on the UK Singles chart. Since then, High Contrast has released 4 follow-up albums, the most recent one being The Agony and The Ecstacy in 2012 which peaked at #45 on the UK Albums chart. “Who Do You Love” Part 2 follows his last single release, “Spectrum Analyser“/”Some Things Never Change” which came out last year.
Check out “Who Do Yo You Love” Part 2 as well as Clare’s cover of “Lilac Wine” BELOW.
Check out High Contrast on the web:
Official Site || Facebook || Twitter || SoundCloud