Stuart A. Staples just released his second solo album. This one coming 13 years since his debut. The title for it is “Arrhythmia” and is out now via City Slang.

Who is Stuart A. Staples you might ask. And why should it pick your interest. Well, he is the lead singer for one of the most underrated bands of all time. Tindersticks. If you’re not familiar with them yet you should immediately start with either one of their first 2 albums and just follow that rabbit hole and see where it takes you.

Track opener “A New Real” sets the tone for what to expect from the album.

 

 

Yes it’s only 4 tracks on it, but closing track “Music For A Year In Small Paintings” is a 3o minute song that feels like a film score. The piece began its evolution back in 2012 when filmmaker, and long-time Staples collaborator, Claire Denis first saw the serial of works by the painter (and Staples’ partner) Suzanne Osborne and wanted to turn these 365 oil paintings of the sky into a film. As friends and musicians passed through Staples’ studio he asked them to watch and react to the paintings. As Staples explains “From these recordings, I chipped away at its form, guiding and editing. Each time there was an exhibition of the work there was a newly evolved version of the music to accompany it.”

 

Words by: Alfredo Tellez & Edith Morales