Foreign Office : An Introduction

Welcome to the new decade. A time for change. Optimism. Hope. Or the stark realisation that's a load of shite, that we're still in the same position we were last decade. The only things we can see will be different is a slightly bluer, posher and toddler-faced changed of management and that neon leggings will go out of fashion and inevitably be replaced by something even worse.

Never fear though, because here are Foreign Office. Whilst they can't promise that the teenies will be any better than the naughties they can make sure that you'll have some very good times courtesy of some intelligent, superbly crafted tunes that have a seductive duality. Combining dance and house influenced beats with some Numan-esque electro, soulful riffs and dazzling wordsmithery, Foreign Office are something more than a bit out of the ordinary. You can hear Roxy Music, Talking Heads, Hot Chip and a variety of other influences in the mix but what Foreign Office ultimately come out with is pure, grin-inducing idiosyncrasy.

Foreign Office consists of four game gents who have been gigging all over the place for your listening pleasure for the past year and a bit. Paul Cousins' provides the sonorous vocals and some meaty bass while George Hume stands beside him, looking like butter wouldn't melt as he does some very explicit things with the guitar. The rugged Duncan Hillman sits behind the keys like a lumberjack in Blade Runner and James Woodley provides the beats that, medical conditions permitting, will have you flailing about with abandon.

In March Foreign Office will be releasing their double A-side 'Leaving the House'/'Voices' on This Playground Records for your aural pleasure. 'Leaving the House' is a barnstormer of a tune built on the best of foundations a head-thumping house beat coupled with the chunkiest of bass lines with a hint of funk. Add to this the electro keyboard and synths, sinuous guitar and an infectious anthemic chorus and you have a track with which to dance your nut off while spilling Red Stripe all over the dance floor. Then, at 7am as you lay in ruinous aftermath, shaking under a duvet sipping at the same cup of tea you have been for the past hour and a half is the perfect time to absorb yourself in the bands deft lyricism. "Isolated sorrow/ Agoraphobic stance/ I can't imagine ever snapping out/of this episodic trance". 'Voices' is a gorgeously dark, fork-tongued and snake-hipped assault on the superficial and the image obsessed, "They turn their backs against you/ we're not self-conscious by default/ but your family's limited aspirations/ leave you breathless to a fault". Driven by a crowd-assembling dance beat and sublime keyboard and guitar riffs 'Voices' is pure sex for your ears; after listening to the glorious sliding harmonies, baritone vocals and instrumental devilry you'll need a cigarette and a bit of a lay down.

There you go. Please enjoy Foreign Office irresponsibly. For full terms and conditions see http://www.myspace.com/foreignofficemusic. Safe. 

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