In the autumnal gloom of 2020, Scottish six-piece Walt Disco presented a longed-for EP of contemporary New Romanticism clad in celestial synths and brocade corsetry. A decadent debut, “Young Hard and Handsome” was a jubilant statement of intent in a four-song cadence of thunderous theatricals. Now, in the equally gloomy winter of 2021, Walt Disco have lavished us once more with a remix of their EP. Previously only available as a B-Side to the EP’s physical release (a limited 12” on turquoise vinyl no less), this new metamorphosis of “Young Hard and Handsome” will be available to dance to on the 29th of January.
Explaining their choice of collaborators, the band say “We wanted to work with producers that make music we love, and in particular to champion the wealth of queer and womxn talent we see around us at the moment.” Selecting three Scottish producers, BOBBIE, Wuh Oh and John Baillie Jr, and London-based singer and producer Jessica Winter completing the running order, these remixes are as dynamic as Walt Disco’s original.
On Wuh Oh’s jubilant remix of the androgynous “Cut Your Hair”, James Potter’s warbling vocals remain at the forefront, but the jagged guitar (think Talking Heads at their most infectiously exuberant) have been submerged in a sweaty basement club. This is a remix for imaginary dancehalls, tiding us over until we are reunited with the real thing.
For Walt Disco, supporting and collaborating a diverse range of creatives is key, stating that “through this remix EP we’ve strengthened our friendships with these huge talents and created an open channel for collaboration on our future projects.”
Underground Soundwave presents an ongoing series of reports on emerging and established bands with close-up Q&As, new release reviews and gig reports with a special emphasis on supporting diversity in music, women in music, independent labels and venues and the local music scene.
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