Blue Bendy's latest: tipsy Stereolab-esque grooves caught on tape

Blue Bendy’s new single ‘International’ dropped yesterday, a welcome break in the grey hellscape that is Lockdown II. More electronic and intricate than their previous couple of singles, “International” is a relaunch of sorts for the London sextet, who supported the likes of Drahla, Squid and Omni in the Before Times, and whose impeccable list of influences includes Broadcast, Tindersticks, Boards Of Canada, Deerhoof and Arthur Russell.

The track is catchy and percussive, punctuated with hauntological sci-fi soundbites and a rattling tambourine. It’s got a warm Stereolab-esque groove that feels like the sweet spot between the beginning and end of a third pint.

Recording with Margo Broom at her studio in North London, the band are tracked live on tape, giving the release a much-appreciated sense of presence and togetherness.

The main core of the music came while trying to get cool sounds out of the Korg MS20, which was new to the band at the time. While the synth and guitar were noodling, Oscar put a big kick drum heavy beat behind the two, everything suddenly jumped together and we all at once thought: this needs to be written as a full song.

Of the artwork, which they made themselves, the band said: ‘We wanted something fairly minimal but also eye catching. We went for quite a bold block colour... Single artwork shouldn't be overly fussy and should let the song speak for itself - but that shouldn't stop it being a canvas for something interesting or to feed into a bigger picture'.

International is the first single out on Simonie Records.