London-based dark-pop collective .imp release their debut single Sex & Power today Friday 5th May. The topical opening track of their debut EP was inspired by the dizzying last 12 months in politics and society, and offers infectious psych-pop melodies alongside blasts of organ and angular stabs of guitar.
.imp is led by the songwriting and musical vision of frontman James Hargreaves. It began as a recording project born out of a stubborn passion for the love of music, drawing commentary from everything and anything – snatched conversations, TV, political travesty, loss or the confusion of existing in an information-soaked world. James’ musical influences are a melting pot – from Vince Clarke’s analogue synths to the lush complexity of Radiohead. The punkish, idiosyncratic takes on pop of The Strokes and The Streets are also reference points, as well as Sleaford Mods, who inspired a starker approach to writing and arranging.
“I’m polarised with much of the music I’m drawn to – it can be something I cannot understand or hope to dissect, that exists as a pure shot of emotion” says Hargreaves of his music. “The other side of that is something almost dismissively simple, yet to perform is absolutely not so – don’t be a naysayer until you’ve had a crack yourself”.
The Headscrambled EP arrives on all download stores and streaming platforms on Friday 5th May, and features three other new tracks alongside Sex & Power – Quinn, Pull Me Over and Button Mushroom.
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