"Over" finds Junk Son filtering trip hop through an ambient pop prism
Lake District-raised and London-residing John Dunk is preparing to release his debut album as Junk Son next month. Ahead of its release he's unveiled "Over", the latest taster for the record.
Rather than follow the musical path of fellow Goldsmiths graduate James Blake, Junk Son's music is restless and searching - perhaps the sound of disparate parts of Dunk's life coming together on record. While there are elements of his classical background in the structuring of "Over", and natural ambient sounds (the track begins with found sound and birdsong, which makes an appearance throughout), the main thrust of the song comes in the insistent click-and-snap percussion and the bold electronic buzz which cuts through the airier parts.
Of the track Dunk says "This track has stuck with me for a long time. It was one of the first tracks I ever fully produced, so it seems fitting for it to feature on my debut album. I took a fresh look back on it, and brought out some of the more natural elements of the production. It’s a nostalgic listen for me now."
It's the sound of the city meeting green space, not unique to London perhaps but "Over" does feel like a piece of music that could only be created in the English capital. A further intriguing layer is formed by the vocals of Amy Spencer; her slightly clipped but sighing vocal is a dream and thrives on an economy of words, complementing Dunk's darker beats.
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