Delac release ‘Beyond The Clouds’ EP External Inbox
Rising electronic duo Delac today release their new EP Beyond The Clouds independently via Delac Records. Featuring previous singles ‘Xenon’, ‘Rufisque’ and ‘All I Ever Need’, the EP is a musical snapshot of Stephen and James’ newfound life in London containing euphoric floor-fillers with sample-heavy house grooves. Listen here: https://bfan.link/delac-beyond-the-clouds-1
Speaking on the EP, Delac explain: “For us, the Beyond the Clouds EP represents a change in direction, moving away from the introspective sound of our earlier EPs to something more forward thinking and ultimately danceable. You’ve got to be able to dance! We both love the club scene in London and right now, we’re very much into House music. We’ve used this EP as a chance to explore the genre and add our own spin to it. The themes of the EP range from renewed love (All I Ever Need), breaking out of despair into positivity (Xenon), escapism from the mundane (Rufisque) and an appreciation for human qualities in an age of AI (Beyond the Clouds). These ideas we’ve been exploring sum up our journey over the past 2 years since our previous EP and is essentially a post-pandemic outlook that has filled us with positive energy. We’re so proud of this EP but also feel we’re only just getting started- this is a stepping stone for what’s to come.”
As Delac, producers and songwriters James McAdam and Stephen Dooley create a dancefloor-primed blend of broken beat, progressive house, electro, UK garage, and leftfield pop as a welcomed antidote to the self-serious image sometimes associated with the electronic scene. With their forthcoming releases, the duo have pushed their sound into a dreamier, upbeat, and more transportative place. This openness of feeling and desire to inject positivity characterises much of Delac’s music. Whether writing hug-your-mates anthems for the sweeping euphoria of summer festival stages, or reflective downtempo vocal tracks to sink into with a pair of headphones, James and Stephen wear their hearts on their sleeves – what matters most is what the song means and how it touches someone’s soul. This is taken to its fullest potential at Delac’s live shows, which – inspired by live electronic acts such as Bicep or Overmono – mix instrumentation and live vocals with electronic production and recontextualise their songs as part of a continuous overlapping mix. For Delac, the ideal live show is one where they feel like they’re part of the crowd themselves.
Writing for live performance was always Stephen and James’s intention. Stephen credits a raucous set from Disclosure in Galway back in 2013 as the key to bridging the gap between his indie background and the blend of live and electronic music. James, meanwhile, had a transformational experience watching Floating Points at a warehouse space in Bristol while at university that same year; a subsequent move to Berlin saw him immersed in the exhilarating sounds of the techno scene, but he remained a melodic composer at heart. Together James and Stephen have developed a fluid method of collaboration, building each track from the ground up: James brings much of the songwriting, story, and narrative sensibilities to their work, while Stephen – whose background is in computer science – brings much of its musical vitality and technical edge.
‘All I Ever Need’ follows Delac’s previous two EPs, 2021’s Can’t Let Go and 2020’s Blue Skies, kicking off a string of new releases and summer live dates for the duo throughout 2023 including. It follows previous live performances at London’s Pickle Factory and support slots for Catching Flies, editorial support from Spotify’s New Music Friday, and guest mixes for BBC Introducing. Delac debuted the EP at Spotify HQ last month where they played the closing set for their Pride party alongside queer icon Jodie Harsh and you can catch the boys celebrating their EP release at All Together Now festival in Ireland this weekend.
Delac: Beyond The Clouds
Tracklist:
1. Rufisque
2. Xenon
3. All I Ever Need
4. Beyond The Clouds
