Another mysterious indie group releases another sensational single. Such a story is nothing special; this track, however, is an entirely different matter. Like many artists of its kind, London Grammar has kept a low profile, releasing no more than the slightest hint of a taste to keep audiophiles and bloggers stewing in anticipation. Though little is known about this coy London trio, eyes and ears will be turned to lead singer Hannah Reid after her powerful but restrained performance on the group’s one and only available track, “Hey Now.”
Combining the minimalism of The xx with the power and emotion of Florence Welch, Reid pours out an aching melody over a simplistic backdrop of carefully plucked strings, hazy synth and bass, and fading percussion. The pairing of the vocals and instrumentals feels slightly unnatural, but in a way that doesn’t turn off as much as it intrigues. Though Reid’s bellows have a dramatic gravity to them, the music feels like the product of a chilled out electro-jam band five minutes into a three-hour set. These components don’t clash when mixed, but create a gorgeous — albeit somber — track that burns slowly but with searing heat. London Grammar has brought to the table original work with a timeless feel, but they’ve also set the bar high as critics await something more than an appetizer.