British duo Everything But the Girl have made a surprising comeback after a 24-year hiatus, much to the excitement of their fans. Although the band, consisting of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt, never technically disbanded, they took a long break from recording and performing together. Now, with new music and a tour in the works, Everything But the Girl is set to make a big comeback. The long break has only increased anticipation for their return, and fans are eager to see what the duo has in store after all these years.
Everything But The Girl (EBTG) fans were left surprised when news broke of the release of their ninth studio album, Fuse, in January. The album was kept secret while being recorded under the code name TREN, a blend of the duo’s first names- Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt. Their previous album was released over two decades ago, in 1999, causing fans to clamour for new material. Thorn and Watt, both of whom released solo material during this period, say they enjoyed the experience of working together again with the liberation of realising you don’t have to come up with every single idea yourself.
Fuse still sounds unmistakably like EBTG, recorded with Bruno Ellingham, whose credits include Massive Attack, Spiritualized, Portishead, and Elbow, in Riverside Studios in Bath, England. Interestingly, some tracks on the album were also recorded on Watt’s iPhone, using what he calls a “mixture of low fidelity and high fidelity,” resulting in an intimate ambiance.
Thorn calls Fuse “a coming out of lockdown” record, as opposed to the rather hackneyed concept of a pandemic album; she adds that for her, lockdown was about putting the brakes on while re-emerging from it was an opportunity to do something different. Watt was shielding because of an auto-immune condition (Churg-Strauss syndrome); as regulations changed post lockdown, his idea of going back on the road for a solo trip in the US suddenly got more complicated. He then thought about doing EBTG again and, with Thorn, decided it was a brilliant idea.
EBTG’s career stands in stark contrast to the typical firework trajectories of a pop career, where the popularity of an act dramatically rockets but quickly dies; the duo has inspired a plethora of melancholic electronic pop, from Olive to The xx. Thorn feels that they’ve always been a little bit on the edge of things, creating something that is unique to them.
Amplified Heart was the comeback record for EBTG as it was recorded after Watt’s illness, which resulted in an abrupt and awful end to their previous collaborations, forcing them to take a long break between records. The album features their signature song, Missing, which became a hit in 1995 after Chicago house producer Todd Terry did a remix. According to Thorn, it elevated their career to another level for which they were incredibly grateful; however, the youthful cockiness of thinking that they were the best band in the world had long been knocked out of them.
Regarding creative pursuits and inspiration, Thorn acknowledges that the books and the lyrics come from two totally different places. Watt, who is also published, adds that being in the dark corner of a 200-capacity club where no one can see him is far more rewarding than being on stage. The duo has no intention of doing the heritage trail, playing the arenas with old hits, or ending every set at every festival with Missing.
In summary, the EBTG’s return has been a welcome surprise to longtime fans, causing them to eagerly anticipate the next steps for the iconic duo. The extended break between records has allowed for a unique experience in terms of sound, something that can be attributed to and appreciated by the band’s listeners. With a new album release under their belt, Thorn and Watt have shown that their creativity and musical prowess remain unmatched, further cementing their status as one of the most iconic British pop acts.
In conclusion, the return of Everything But the Girl is an exciting and highly anticipated event for music fans worldwide. After a 24-year break, the duo is set to reignite the passion and love for their music, breathing new life into an already legendary legacy. With fans eagerly awaiting their return, the sky is truly the limit for Everything But the Girl, and we can’t help but feel excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. A 24-year hiatus may seem like a long time, but in reality, it’s the perfect amount of time to stoke expectation and set the stage for a triumphant comeback. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in the case of Everything But the Girl, that couldn’t be more true. Get ready to fall in love with their music all over again – the wait is finally over!
