Having gifted us with “the least Alt-J song ever” – the self-conscious rock parody, ‘Left Hand Free’ – the Leeds trio now give us what might be the most Alt-J song ever.
Sensual yet sinister, strange yet sonically accessible – ‘Every Other Freckle’ showcases all of Alt-J’s best qualities within its first 90 seconds, complete with Joe Newman’s nasally croon and ear-pricking come-ons (“turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet“).
Then comes a 180 turn as a dovetailing flute and high-cooing vocals turn the tune into prog-folk territory, only for the band to reel it back with a lyrical slander at clichéd hand-clapping – to the sound of hand-claps. A masterstroke that then tumbles effortlessly into a growling fuzz back-end and Thom Green’s cymbal-less drums (recalling An Awesome Wave‘s ‘Fitzpleasure’).
‘Every Other Freckle’ transforms its musical oddities into a whip-smart tune that sounds likes nothing else out there, and like Alt-J themselves, its invention sound effortless.
The single is the third offering from Alt-J’s hugely anticipated album, This Is All Yours, dropping 22nd September. And we simply can’t wait to hear the whole thing.
