Alex Vargas - Shackled Up

1.   Who is this relaxed looking dude?

Alex Vargas is an electronic soul singer from Horsholm, Denmark, who fights out of London, England. Mr Vargas has one long player and two short players in the shops. Shackled Up (Jan'16) shuffles off the short player Giving Up The Ghost (Jan'16).

2. What kind of tune is the man peddling?

Shackled Up is a smooth as a babbies bottom vocal driven, soulful number with a mellow pop that forces the focus on the singer and the lyrics. Top shelf.

3. Who is Alex Vargas similar to?

Phil Collins. Ha ha. 

Indietronica are the go to here Jack Garratt, Galant, TENDER, Wolffe, Lucas Nord. When The Horn Blows were minded of the Lost Frequencies tune Are You With Me. Ben Khan and Nonne say Pigeons and Planes.

4. What do the stout defenders of good taste have to tell us about Shackled Up?

“Sleek rhythm and blues, disjointed electronics, alt pop and soulful vocals” -  WhenThe Horn Blows.

“Searing pop polemic, 'Shackled Up' is deftly melodic yet cuts straight to the core” - Clash Music.
 

“Slick, left-field production with jaw dropping vocals and unashamedly massive melodies” - Indie Tronica.

 

 

5. So who are the soul man’s influences?

Sam Cook, Aretha Franklin and Jeff Buckley are the old school answers and D'Angelo, Flying Lotus and Hiatus Kaiyote on the street.

6. Why should I give this smooth crooners number a spin?

The backing vocals are eerie. The song knocks you off your stride. It doesn't feel right. The need for satisfaction is intense. Shackled Up is personal, no piece of radio puff.

7. Does Alex Vargas have any more of these startlers?

Check out Till Forever Runs. Fucking amazing falsetto voice.

8. Any more words of wisdom?

Alex Vargas was in the band Vagabond before striking out on his tod.

Alex Vargas has pulled fluffer duties for Jack Garratt.

 

“Sure we lose our heads at the break of dawn,

And the bombs fall, we’re still in drakness”

 

 

 

 

Slippery seconds is given up by indie pop rocker Bec Sandridge. She has two short players in the bank but In The Fog In The Flame (July'15) is a stand alone single. Inspired by Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush and Blondie, it tells, and a  bloke who blew hot and cold.

“Because I feel the little stains,
In my heart, in my hands”