The acclaimed synthpop duo are battling the self-isolation blues with a wonderful new recording project
Oh Wonder – one of Britain’s most charming pop duos – have never been lacking in resourcefulness. Back in 2014, the band first came to attention when they began posting a new track on SoundCloud every month for a whole year. Showcasing their songwriting skills and impressive work ethic, that year-long project would eventually lead to the duo – comprising Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht – securing a record deal and becoming much-loved fixtures on the British pop landscape.
Six years later and, with the UK currently in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oh Wonder are going back to their roots with a brilliant new project entitled ‘Home Tapes’. Determined to make the most of their time in self-isolation, the musical duo will be writing, recording and releasing a string of new songs from their home studio in south London.
Explaining the idea behind the project, the duo said: “In this unprecedented period of confusion and loneliness, we wanted to contribute to the world’s efforts to make sense of it all, in the only way we know how. We are taking it back to how we started this band and embarking on a new project called ‘Home Tapes’, where we will seek to write, produce and mix songs at home to share with the world on a regular basis. In the absence of certainty, at least we will have music, and we hope that these songs provide some comfort, companionship and relief to those that need it.”
Released over the weekend, the first offering in the ‘Home Tapes’ series is a beautifully understated track entitled ‘Lonely Star’. Propelled by gentle piano chords and hushed, insistent vocal melodies, it’s the sort of dreamy, melancholy-soaked pop song that Oh Wonder have become renowned for. Meanwhile, the song’s lyrics – with a chorus refrain of: ‘I’m a lonely star / Is there anybody out there?’ – will surely resonate with many of us holed up at home in self-isolation.
So far, it’s been a real whirlwind year for the prolific pop duo. Back in January, their third LP, No One Else Can Wear Your Crown, reached No. 8 in the UK charts, and the band embarked on a hugely successful world tour. The duo’s momentum – even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic – shows no signs of slowing down with the arrival of their ‘Home Tapes’ project. Stay home, stay safe and rejoice in Oh Wonder’s luxurious pop songs.
Check out ‘Lonely Star’ below –
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiuZNVSSRwE
