Over the last few months UK sibling duo Guy and Howard Lawrence have drip-fed their electronic garage beats to the world and had everyone hooked even before their debut LP was released.
In creating its starkly modern sound, Settle takes cues from 80s UK house and 90s two-step and pulls them into the era of contemporary pop. The result is brand of electronica made from an eclectic mix of references that, when stirred together in slew of radio-ready four-minute anthems, is scarily accessible and easy to indulge in.
A key feature of this release is the expansive list of big name guest vocalists scattered across its 14 tracks.
From Australia’s own Sam Smith on the sizzling lead single ‘Latch’ to fellow Brits Jessie Ware, AlunaGeorge, and Eliza Doolittle, each cameo takes their respective song to the next level by providing ear-worm lyrics that burrow into your skull and refuse to budge.
While some of the lyricism depends on unashamed clichés – for instance, the opening lines”You lift my heart up, when the rest of me is down” , they ultimately serve their pop purpose. You might question them at first, but when you’re stopped at a red light or stumbling on the dance floor you probably won’t be able to resist belting them out in a passionate echo.
Common questions can be posed about Disclosure’s creative originality, the influence of their guest artists, and whether or not they can turn a trend into an extended career.
However, it’s clear the Lawrence brothers have got impeccable pop sensibility embedded in their genetic fibre. This age-old, fool-proof formula of a throbbing club beat and standout pop vocals is executed to precision, and it’s no wonder these pop-savvy brothers have stormed to worldwide success
