Too often musicians succumb to second album syndrome, spending just months to write a follow-up to a record they spent the best part of their lives dedicated to. That’s not the case for Ben Watt - one half of Everything But The Girl - who releases his second album Hendra next Monday, 31 years after his solo debut. Self-described as “a folk-rock record in an electronic age”, Hendra's pure, stripped-down sound is a welcome break for Watt as a regular DJ and head of deep-house/techno label Buzzin’ Fly.
Featuring Bernard Butler and Berlin-based producer Ewan Pearson, Hendra is Watt’s second solo project of 2014 so far - the first arriving in the form of his second book, Romany and Tom, a memoir of his parents. Like his book, this new venture comes with strong personal relevance: written following the sudden passing of his sister during the record’s creation, the contemplative strains of Hendra provide stirring poignancy.
The album is streaming below. Make sure you listen out for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who makes a guest appearance on The Levels.
