A soulful, heart-aching immersion takes hold on “Hungry Ghost,” a track from Phellotape that enamors in its mixture of melodic vocals, brass-y suaveness, and gorgeous string infusions. Comprising Alice Phelps and Tom Twemlow, the UK-based infuse artful thematic sentiments within an eclectic range of inspirations, which include Sia, Carole King, Bonobo, Rufus Wainwright, and beyond.
“It’s about a time when I was using sex like other people might use alcohol or drugs — to dissociate from pain,” says Phelps, the project’s lead vocalist and songwriter. “I wanted to disappear into this other person, but even when we were together, it wasn’t enough. It’s not a love song. It’s a song about sex. But there’s a heaviness to it — a lament.”
“Even when I have you, I still want you,” Phelps’ vocals open the track, conveying that insatiable sense, even when physical affection is taking place. “Why am I aching for you?” the vocals continue, into brass adornments and ensuing string-laden lushness. The mid-point invigorates in its “what can I do?” outpouring — echoing that Carole King inspiration — and melding of funky guitars, brass swirls, and all-out artful momentum — into the aspirations to “let go” throughout a dreamily enticing conclusion. “Hungry Ghost” is an enthralling standout track from Phellotape.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
