R – Bubble Gum Geisha
London-based electro pop trio R release their new single ‘Bubble Gum Geisha’ through Salt & Shake Records on 20th April 2015.
‘Bubble Gum Geisha’ sees the group explore the contrast between the refined beauty of a geisha and the sordid world she frequents. The result is an infectious slice of classy electro-pop that represents a creative leap forward in the band’s sound, building on the strengths of first single, ‘Change’, which won high praise from some of British radio’s most respected figures.
The track featured on Steve Lamacq’s Roundtable Review on BBC 6 Music, with the host himself describing it as a ‘terrifically charming piece of music’, while one of electro-pop’s most prolific figures, Martyn Ware of The Human League and Heaven 17, expressed that the band’s music had ‘restored [his] faith in the future of songwriting in Britain’.
Charting at no.1 on Amazing Radio, ‘Change’ also had spot plays on BBC Radio 1 from Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart, as well as on BBC Radio 2 from Janice Long. ‘Change’ also featured on BBC Radio 6 Music’s playlist for a month, receiving coveted airplay from Mark Radcliffe, MaryAnne Hobbs, Lauren Laverne, Shaun Keaveny and Tom Ravenscroft.
R’s creative core is the work of brothers Pierre and Marc O’Reilly, both respected musicians in their own right. Marc’s solo project has seen him embark on a live tour across Europe, including a performance at Glastonbury, while he also provided vocals on 3 tracks for MOBO award-winning act Karios 4tet’s last album, which received 4 star reviews from Mojo, The Independent and The Guardian.
Pierre, meanwhile, is a composer for motion pictures and has worked on a full host of films, including a picture directed by Academy Award-nominated director, Nicky Phelan, whilst third member, producer Konstantine Pope, has made a name for himself as one half of dub-step duo Standard & Push.
R’s new single clearly reinstates the qualities that have won them so much praise in the past. It is an exciting taste of what is to come on their forthcoming debut album, and marks a welcome return for this multi-talented act.
