Listen: Watchu Saying - Hugh feat. Jylda

We are all a little lucky, because Watchu Saying is the third release we have had this year from Hugh, the collaborative project between Andy Highmore, Joshua Idehen and Martin Kolarides.

Watchu Saying gradually unfolds in a particularly distinct way - initially riding in on a weird wave of distortion, Idehen and Jylda’s vocals pad along on a gentle bed of electronics before jumping into the kind of cyclical chorus that feels as though it has no beginning and no end. This track feels like it gives lots of airtime to Kolarides’ guitar work, which initially delicately weaves its way around the bed of the track before becoming a focal point in the second chorus. This is a track that feels a little disorientating, but at the same time that trademark Hugh warmth feels like a musical embrace.

Whilst this is Hugh’s latest song, it’s actually one of the oldest that Idehen and Highmore have written together. Idehen’s inspiration for the lyrics came as he wrote a love song based on Star Wars after he read an old novel that is no longer considered part of the official canon. The line “You are the X-Wing, and I am the Y” stuck out, and ultimately Watchu Saying was the result.

Listen: Sense To You - Hugh feat. Bonjay

Long standing BlackPlastic favourites, Joshua Idehen’s Hugh are back with their second song of 2019 in the form of Sense To You. Together with guitarist Martin Kolarides, producer Andy Highmore and Canadian R&B duo Bonjay, Idehen has turned in another one of his trademark deep and emotionally vulnerable electronic soul joints.

If you haven’t heard Hugh before, I suggest you rectify that quickly... Sense To You have the same sense of warm I often experience in the music of Hugh - the effect is like getting a hug from a friend. Bonjay’s Alanna Stuart became involved after meeting Joshua online, him having been a big fan of Bonjay’s music. When the pair said they would be in London, a collaboration seemed obvious, Joshua describing Alanna as “One of the most fun, inspiring and encouraging people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with”.

The song describes the experience of a low-key click with someone - no big drama, but something that just feels right. Describing the track, Joshua says:

“Sometimes you just know. You go out, for a drink, with mates, not really looking, and you lock eyes with someone, and the words you share aren’t particularly clever, or funny, or deep, but everything clicks, and before you know it, she nods towards the exit and you’re saying goodbye to your friends.”

Check out Sense To You below.

Stream: Go - Hugh

Hugh first featured on these pages a full three years ago, and they have been a regular fixture ever since. Now on the eve of their debut album, the London-based group have just put out Go, their newest single.

One of my favourite tracks of Hugh's so far, Go is like a plea for release... Sometimes you know you need something to happen, but you can't convince yourself to take a certain step. It feels easier to put the decision in someone else's hands, to have someone else to make the decision for you. Two people pushing each other forward, inch by inch. Just give me the green light: don't need no words to say, if you'll just stay then I'll know.

Go is inspired by vocalist Izzy Brooks' experience having meeting a boy who made her feel like she was underwater:

"I remember there was green light flooding in from the surface, my lungs hurt and the excitement was so heavy it almost felt like I couldn't breathe. Though I knew I probably should have jumped out, I stayed down beneath the waves, facing this person who had this hypnotic hold over me - it was crazy"

Continuing their recent trend towards a slightly more electronic sound, Go channels Caribou and Hot Chip together with Beach House. Hugh's debut album Love, Hugh will be released on 25 May.

Available on streaming and online stores now. Debut album 'Love, Hugh' dropping May 25th :-) Can't swim, I touch the sides Soon sinking Deep inside This mirky water that we're in As I dive down into blue I wanna be washed up with you, Submerge me Let it pull you in Just gimme the Green Light Go Keep making me feel like Woah Don't need no words to say If you just stay then i'll know Just give me the Green Light Go Keep making me feel like Woah Cause if you're wanting me Then 1,2,3 lets go You're hands release the dice I burn up needing ice Relieve me Help erase this heat You got me ticking like a bomb going off And every inch you give speeds up the clock Its beating Wont you rescue me Time's ticking, don't wanna wait, can't hold it down, not for much longer, lord help me, take me to church, confess my thirst, all of this hunger, time's ticking, don't wanna wait, can't hold it down, not for much longer, times ticking, don't wanna wait, and i don't wanna wait

Stream: Must've Been Love / I'm Sorry - Hugh

It's exciting times in the Hugh camp as they near the release of their debut album. In anticipation of its release the group have put out their first cover.

Layering together two disparate genres to create a compelling whole, the new track is one-part 80s power ballad to one-part early 2000s garage pop. Hugh bring this all together in their trademark style - warm sub-bass and melodic keys act as the glue on this record that shouldn't quite work, but does. The big chorus of Roxette's It Must Have Been Love forms the body of the track whilst the hook from Monster Boy's Sorry acts like a infectious candy ear worm. It feels like Sorry never really left my head, so I can't help but be charmed by it's return. Here Hugh give it's lyrics a little more sincerity then the original ever managed.

As we prepare for our debut release A cover of sorts Eighties meets Noughties Power Ballad meets Garage Banger From us, To you. Love, Hugh.

Stream: This Is How It Starts - Hugh

Everybody thought it couldn’t happen but 2017 has already proven it is a way shittier year than 2016.

Everything may be totally fucked, but hey - at least we have a new track from Hugh and this time it comes with the news that we can expect an album to come later in the year. This Is How It Starts is appropriately the first single from that album.

This Is How It Starts is the sound of the band at their best - contemplative vocals weaving through thick, dubby electronics. Full of the wistful feeling of unrealised potential, Josh and Izzy’s vocals doing that thing they do so well - a perfect aural companionship.