You need this song when you wake up, when you're in the car, laying on the beach, at the bars, at the gym, lunch at your grandma's house, when you fall asleep....
If you have not already listened to Rather Be ft. Jess Glynne 1,000 plus times you should probably get started. The British bands newest single is an absolutely flawless collaboration of electronic and classical music, with a touch of deep-house, and a pinch of “this is the best song I’ve ever heard.” (Imagine Mozat and Tiesto having a baby- this song is their beguiling offspring.)
#1: The Roots:
An unassuming group from Cambridge, Clean Bandit began as a string quartet. Its four members include violinist/singer Grace Chatto, drummer Luke Patterson, violinist/DJ Milan Neil Amin-Smith, and bassist/guitarist/keyboardist/producer do-it-all Jack Patterson (Luke’s brother.) Jack began adding drums and electronic synths to the quartets performances and from there Clean Bandit (which comes from a Russian phrase similar to the English phrase meaning “utter rascal”) was born. Their music has been compared to big artists such as Disclosure (who they toured with in 2013), Tove Lo and Sam Smith.
#2: The Lyrics:
Although the group has produced a hand-full of other popular songs in the UK (Mozart House, Dust Clears, and their most recent single, Extraordinary) none have had the booming success of Rather Be. Contact Music says Clean Bandit’s most recent chart topper is “…simply a mushy love song, be it about a lover, a friend or a family member…” If you have heard the song you already know what mushy lyrics they’re referring to (and if you haven’t, why have you not looked it up by now??), how can anyone resist singing along to the catchy chorus of “when I am with you there’s no place I’d rather be.” or my personal favorite “it’s easy being with you, sacred simplicity. As long as we’re together, there’s no place I’d rather be.”
#3: The Sound:
But wait, an electronic, classical, mushy love song? Doesn’t seem possible but Clean Bandit does it. Rather Be boasts instruments such as violin, video game-style synth blips, a slow bass, piano, and Jess Glynne’s undeniable vocals. This unusual fusion makes for the perfect summer day melody that is almost impossible not to sing a lot to which is why it spent a baffling four weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top 100! When asked in a Rolling Stone interviewwhat the band thinks electronic and classical music bring to each other the band answered “Dance music brings classical to the ears of the new generation, since a lot of younger people don’t really listen to it.” Clean Bandit’s members still use classical instruments like acoustic violin and cello in their songs (as opposed to their sounds electronically) because they produce a depth and richness that “no synths can replicate.”
So what’s next for these fresh artists? Their latest album New Eyes was recently released June 2nd through Atlantic Records with rave reviews and the group has just begun touring the US, UK, and Netherlands through the month of June. Feel free to absolutely fall in love with Rather Be ft. Jess Glynne, as well as all of Clean Bandit’s other culture clashing melodies, by clicking on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-M1AtrxztU
Photo courtesy of: The Vibe Guide
Quotes from: Rolling Stone Magazine and Contact Music.
