With new single Hidden Agenda, the brawny Cornwall sextet take the reigns from Latin and jazz ensembles like The Cat Empire and Deluxe to deliver us a flavoursome retro emulation. I think this truly is what people are referring to when they use the term ‘fusion’.
While the music draws inspiration from elements of jazz and soul, the lyrical subject matter revives classic “woman’s blues” themes found in artefacts like Peggy Lee’s Why Don’t You Do Right, Dinah Shore’s I’ll Walk Alone and 1930’s Broadway theatre. Here, we’re presented with the negatives of a controlling relationship, urging the listener to look within themselves and perhaps re-evaluate their choices. It works nicely with the brassy vocals which manage to transform these lyrical sentiments into more powerful statements. Alongside the lead vocal, harmonies are rife and eagerly pushed to the forefront. This is very much a modernised affair, with the shiny production work seeking to inject a more contemporised style into the mix.
The song stretches to 6 minutes, but never feels like it’s trawling. In fact, you could call it a continuous journey – especially with how the structure unfolds, including a spoken word section at 4 minutes in. Check out Horses on the Beach on Soundcloud and follow them on Instagram for more.
