BRISTOL NEWCOMERS THE DESERT DELIVER TRIP-HOP SINGLES "GONE" & "DISTRACT ME"

Trip-Hop hasn’t sounded this perfect in years...we invite you to listen to the dark, ethereal sounds of The Desert, a 4-piece band from Trip-Hop's home, Bristol, who have blown ROUGH ONLINE away with their recent two singles “Gone,” and “Distract Me,” the former which instantly throws you back to the music production of Tricky’s 2013 track “Parenthesis” with The Antlers as well as Neneh Cherry’s “Spit Three Times” from her 2014 critically acclaimed, comeback album “Blank Project”...in other words...The Desert are one of 2018’s best Alternative music acts and here are the reasons why. “Gone” delivers a Spanish-style, acoustic guitar playing a melancholic arpeggio over a simple Electro beat, as well as lead singer Gina’s interesting medium between clean and hoarse vocals, until...the chorus drops out all instruments apart from an emotive chord structure performed on the piano that along with her simply haunting voice will send shivers down your spine. And along with the use of live drums which are introduced in Gone’s finale, the overall music production is very reminiscent of PJ Harvey’s 1998 song “The River” from the “Is This Desire” era. This will without a doubt leave you wanting more from a band who has ensured that the UK’s music scene just keeps getting better and better this year.  

“Gone” is a masterfully attacked piece of music with an underlying anger and bitterness to it, whilst “Distract Me,” although delivering a softer sound, also ensures that The Desert delve into the gothic vibes of Portishead’s 1997 self-titled second album. Opening with a piano section, not too dissimilar to the introduction of Skunk Anansie’s lead singer Skin’s “You Made Your Bed” from the rocker’s 2003 debut L.P “Fleshwounds,” The Desert’s “Distract Me,” ensures that you will be sent to the utmost darkness, especially when taking in Gina’s timid tone, which at times gives you creeps...in a good way of course. The bottom line is that Rough Online are extremely impressed by The Desert’s musicianship skills and experimental fearlessness, and we cannot wait to hear their forthcoming E.P which drops next year, as well as see these guys perform live. Download and stream “Gone” and “Distract Me” out now on all online stores. Are The Desert bringing Trip-Hop back to mainstream radio?