North Downs is as shrouded in mystery as they were when they first emerged from the shadows last year with a single that reverberated powerfully across the new music scene. Nothin’ widened eyes and dropped jaws with its innovative fusion of funk, rock, and electronica. Many ears have been waiting for the trio to drop their second song since. I have a feeling none of them have been disappointed either with today’s second single Plastic Clouds, a sultry simmering genre bender suffused with drafty tribal drums, windswept guitar, and soulful lilting vocals. It’s wondrous that a song can be at once sensuous searing and mellow pacifying, a dual effect well achieved by Plastic Clouds. The single is dusty and seductive, yet sophisticated and multi-faceted, almost like Arctic Monkeys and Alt-J fused together with a generous infusion of SOFI TUKKER’s smoldering guitar groove. Is North Downs one of the most exciting (and enigmatic) new bands of the moment? After two incredible tunes, I say yes. You can also stream Plastic Clouds off of Soundcloud, below.
