James Tabbi – Slow Slow Slow
james tabbi's 'slow slow slow' is a stunning dark wave debut, synth-drenched and emotionally exposed in all the right ways
There's a moment in 'Slow Slow Slow' where the synths swell and the whole thing tips into surrender. That's the heart of it. Tabbi's voice sits low and intimate against wonderful sheets of analogue texture, and the production, co-helmed with Ben Hillier, has real analogue weight to it. Outboard gear, a physical heft, but it's the song itself which shines brightest. It's all about stopping the fight against an emotional pull, and the arrangement mirrors that perfectly: tension building, then release. Gorgeous dark wave, vulnerable and beautifully realised.
Tabbi is the lead singer of Rochester post-punk duo The Heroic Enthusiasts, and this marks his first solo outing. He's a multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer, producer, and remixer with recent collaborations alongside Kristine W, David Cloyd, and Head to the Roots. The single was mastered by Blake Morgan, whose credits include Lenny Kravitz and Lesley Gore. 'Slow Slow Slow' is the first taste of his debut album A Temporary Resident, arriving next year on Meridian via ECR Music Group. Fantastic artwork too, and all round a great track.