REVIEW: Studio Electrophonique’s latest track ‘How Can I Love Anyone Else?’
Studio Electrophonique, the musical solo project of James Leesley, first caught my ear in 2019 with the exquisite single ‘Buxton Palace Hotel’. Its blend of Yo La Tengo-esque gossamer organ, bittersweet vocals and toybox drum machine evoked a musical postcard from a half-remembered childhood holiday, at once familiar and otherworldly. Six years on, his new release, ‘How Can I Love Anyone Else?’, affirms that Studio Electrophonique's uniquely delicate soundscapes haven’t lost their power to enthral.
Photo Credit: Jake Millers
A recent film, ‘A Documentary About Studio Electrophonique’, explored Leesley's deep dive into the history of the namesake DIY studio that fostered the fledgling beginnings of Sheffield electronic legends ABC and The Human League. This evident fascination with synthesised textures shines through in the new track - the swelling organ and scattered celeste indicate late nights spent perfecting each tone - but this meticulousness belies a warmth at the heart of this gem of a song. “I could end up losing my job/I hope I do in a way, then I could spend every day/working on the language you use, so I’ll sound like you” is just one of many beautiful lines throughout, with Leesley’s vulnerable, unaffected delivery keeping the mood tender rather than saccharine.
While the dream-like atmosphere and instrumentation will be familiar to previous listeners, there’s a strength and conviction to ‘How Can I Love Anyone Else?’ that shows a clear progression in Leesley’s songcraft. The half-remembered, sepia-tinged past Studio Electrophonique has always conjured is gaining clarity in the details and colour at the centre without losing any of its romance.
You can listen to ‘How Can I Love Anyone Else?’ here. You can watch the accompanying music video here.
Words: David Cuthbertson
