Ah yes, the new-fangled voguish sound of modern Britain but not seen through the eyes of the aristocratic youth of South London nor the arrogant chutzpah of the North West but for once, a rare peek into life in a cultural backwater such as Middlesbrough. If like me, you feel the best thing to come out of Middlesbrough is the A19 then it’s time to cast off your blinkers and pay attention. Dylan Cartlidge is 22, outrageously talented and has hair I would happily kiss a wombat to own.
His debut ‘Love Spoons’ exhibits a flair for melding a groin-waving bass line with ingenious wordplay which throws together a riotous mix of soul, rap, R&B and Peruvian nose flute. If you want the nearest touchstone then it’s arguably Outkast but without the gimmickry. He is quintessentially British with an eye on the accoutrements of youth whilst keeping his tongue firmly super-glued to his cheek.
I have no idea what Love Spoons actually are, eggs and beads maybe, but spoons? Perhaps it’s a North Eastern custom or perhaps the track is pure filth and I’m just too innocent to realise. Either way, Cartlidge has a sound it’s impossible to ignore, his voice is an instrument in its own right, meandering like a drunk leaving a free bar at a wedding but that bass line just keeps everything locked down tighter than my wife’s Facebook account.
Listen, enjoy and then order yourself some love spoons off Ebay.
‘Love Spoons’ is out now.
