http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQy-s_21pG4
The thing about ‘soul pop’ is that if it isn’t done well, it can fall flat. There’s a fine line between impassioned and overeager; likewise, not much separates a heartfelt lyric from a mawkish one. Josh Kumra [Twitter/Facebook] knows that it’s easy to fall into traps like that in the space in which he operates; this is why he’s managed to avoid them with ease on his forthcoming debut single. There’s a hint of Gnarls Barkley audible in the sound of Helicopters & Planes – which is being released on download on July 15th, and on one of those 7-inch vinyl record things a day later, if you prefer physical media – with Kumra coming across like a less-heavily-accented Maverick Sabre as his poignant words are wrapped around a sumptuous, string-laden backdrop; the song deals with the scourge of emigration, among other things, and also features a brilliantly-executed verse from K Koke. With a debut album in the can and slated for release in September, Kumra has already marked himself out as a talent to watch. It remains to be seen if his album can deliver the goods, but, on the evidence of this song, we wouldn’t bet against it.
The limited edition signed Helicopters & Planes 7″ is available to pre-order at Townsend Records.