New music: Mikky Ekko – Pull Me Down

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Born John Stephen Sudduth in Louisiana, Mikky Ekko had a nomadic childhood, moving around America's deep south with his preacher father. Having settled briefly in Mississippi and absorbed as much gospel as he could, he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, and started playing in bands. In 2010 he posted his solo material online, one of which was the bluesy stomp, Who Are You, Really? The song caught the attention of experimental hip-hop producer Clams Casino, whose work for A$AP Rocky, Lil B and the Weeknd have made him one of the most sort after beat-makers. The two became friends and have been working on tracks (including Pull Me Down) for Ekko's forthcoming debut album, which also features collaborations with Paul Epworth, Dave Sitek, John Hill and Justin Parker. While the drum claps are classic Clams Casino, it's testament to Ekko's vocal skills that he doesn't become a bystander in his own song. That's not to say there aren't beautiful production moments, however, specifically the final third where the beat is replaced by twitching electronica, angelic backing vocals and a distorted hissing that somehow sounds beautiful.