Turner Club is a new venture by two friends, one “professional gambler” and one “bricky”, who met on a dancefloor in the northeast of England in 2004. Here, kicking off their new record label, Turner Club Music, the pair deliver a foursome of melancholic 80s-tinged house jams laced with honest, heartfelt vocals.

If you’re a fan of vintage synths, classic drum machines and artists like Depeche Mode & Larry Heard stick around – there are bags of retro vibes to be found on the ‘Hearts and Minds’ EP.

The first track, ‘Confusion’, is all about “the madness of your soul”, exploring themes of mental despair. The vocals are raw and unhinging, which reflect this, but are paired with a hardware groove and a palette of jutting synths. The title track, ‘Hearts and Minds’, continues this intimate narrative in its vocals, and piles on the powerful 80s drums even more.

‘Silhouette of Love’ takes a break from the 4x4 house style, slowing down to what is simply a raw love song over straining synths. ‘Escape’, the final song on the EP, moves into the UK Broken Beat realm. Giving off vibes of Kaidi Tatham, it’s – like the rest of Turner Club’s music – as danceable as it is emotional, creating a unique juxtaposition.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Really beautifully produced electronica here from Turner Club, with wisps of classic house and Rephlex breaks, with the soulful vocals lavishly draped atop. It's a lovely combination, and a perfect debut outing for the project.

TRACK LISTING

1. Confusion 08:34
2. Hearts And Minds 07:01
3. Silhouette Of Love 07:41
4. Escape 06:11