TULA’s progress in the last year proves that sometimes the universe conspires in your favor. Although having formed in 2010, it was not until a short five months ago that the Swedish quintet emerged onto the scene with a salient cover of the destitute pop classic, ‘Wicked Games’. Since going live on October 10th, the cover has garnered an impressive 250,000+ plays on Soundcloud, and 200,000+ plays on Spotify.
The sensual interpretation ratifies ’60s muted-guitar rock introspection with rhythm to spare. Glossy vocal harmonies spinning into sublime pools of canorous wonder. Notably discreet and channeling apparitions of Telepopmusik and Simian Mobile Disco’s dub-dance capers through a contemporary veneer.
Hearing Chris Isaak’s penned lyrics through TULA’s vocal embrace initiates a fascinating engagement, as the song’s original intention plays at odds with the words that escape into the open. Ambiguously tactile and flirty, especially when the chorus highlights a ubiquitous concern: “No, I don’t want to fall in love.” Under the club beat coating, however, her voice hints at possibly risking it all once again.
Earlier this week, the Berlin-via-Sweden songsmiths unexpectedly released their follow-up track, ‘River’ – a fearless upgrade to their creative architecture. The surprising use of acoustic instruments range from primeval timbale rhythms texturing the single’s resounding chorus, later attended by a momentous piano melody that ricochets within the song’s cinematic landscapes: rolling green valleys floating under the cascading fjords, underscored by TULA’s robust vocals.
Both tracks constitute the batshit genius of Klas Åhlund’s sonic design. The legendary Scandipop producer has worked with the electropop songstress, Robyn, during her knockout Body Talk album run, along with other names such as Tove Lo, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Usher. In Klas’ hands, TULA continue to hone their skills by drawing from the past (the opening seconds of ‘River’ are closely related to the seductive opening of the Art of Noise’s ’80s baby makin’ anthem, ‘Moments in Love’), but still crafting their foreseeable future – adding an illustrious pop sheen to TULA’s provocative vocal suspensions.
The type of songwriting created in vast halls of tension and beauty – rich, promising, and anything but ordinary.
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