Esser New Album Details

• 25th Mar 2009

‘When we stop dancing, the world stops moving.’

Esser is Ben Esser, the 23 year old, mega-quiffed pop troubadour from Chelmsford, Essex. ‘Braveface’ is his much anticipated debut album released on Transgressive records on May 4.

A labour of pure, unadulterated love, ‘Braveface’ is ten tracks of brilliantly souped-up smart home grown pop. A collection of songs destined to bust out of the underground and send Esser straight into the hearts and heads of the Great British public.

Sporting his infamous haircut and distinctive sharp dress sense, Esser epitomises all that is fresh and new in the current British music meets fashion in 2009, proving it’s not just the girls who are key contributors to this electronic solo pop zeitgeist.

Ben Esser first came to our attention a year ago with his debut release ‘I Love You’ on hot indie label Merok. Bedroom music-making at its very best, it sparked interest in tastemakers and young music fans alike, promising a boundlessly exciting return to the sunshine days when boys did cutting edge conceptual pop.

The last year has seen him sign to much regarded label Transgressive, home of Foals and Young Knives, who released follow up singles ‘Headlock’ in August and ‘Satisfied’ in November and the current ‘Work It Out’. In between supporting Kaiser Chiefs, Foals and Mystery Jets on tour he’s thrown his own riotous Midnight Moonstomp parties to explore the previously unknown middle ground between gig, rave and barbershop.

While finishing his album with co-producer Lexxx (Two Door Cinema Club, Golden Silvers and sidekick of the A-List mixer Mark ‘Spike’ Stent for Kanye West, Radiohead, Madonna), Ben has been busy collaborating and remixing with Little Boots, Kaiser Chiefs, The Streets, Golden Silvers and Cee-Lo. He also managed to squeeze in recording a Cure cover with the Mystery Jets for the NME and re-work La Roux’s ‘Quicksand’ in his own Esser-esque style.

Opening with the drum roll and garage sounds of ‘Leaving Town’, his debut album ‘Braveface’ takes you on a trip through the inner workings of Ben’s mind. Tales of relationship highs and lows are transformed into a feast of musical musings replete with humour, insight and clarity rarely found in a boy of such tender years.

The title track employs wonky electronic wonderfulness and leads into the soon to be smash next single ‘Headlock’. Already the climax of the Esser live experience, ‘Headlock’ winds and grinds its way through weird pop sounds reminiscent of early Blur. ‘Bones’ is a beautifully crafted tale of heartbreak set to simple beats and extended minor chords.

The singles ‘Satisfied’, ‘Work It Out’ and ‘I Love You’ succinctly lead you to the latter stages of the album. ‘This Time Around’ warns a future love of ones potential to disappoint in the relationship stakes. ‘Real Life’ again illustrates an ability to pen a warped pop gem a la Albarn & co leading to album closer – ‘Stop Dancing’: four minutes of superb slinky sexiness where Hot Chip meets Chris Isaaks ‘Wicked Game’.

Sounding fresher and more relevant than ever, ‘Braveface’ is an amalgamation of elements of early 90’s pop brilliance and 21st century electronica all underpinned by cleverly employed dubhop and ska beats.

Esser is a musician of our time. He takes a wealth of musical knowledge, influences and experience and produces song after song of pure understated brilliance. No fuss, frivolity or style over substance, Esser simply can and does lead the pack in exciting British music worth celebrating in 2009.

Braveface – out May 4

1. Leaving Town
2. Braveface
3. Headlock
4. Bones
5. Satisfied
6. Work It Out
7. I Love You
8. This Time Around
9. Real Life
10. Stop Dancing

Live tour:

16/4 Cockpit Leeds
17/4 King Tuts Glasgow
18/4 Empire Middlesbrough
19/4 Duchess York
21/4 Deaf Institute Manchester
22/4 Little Civic Wolverhampton
23/4 Thekla Bristol
24/4 Joiners Southampton
25/4 Cavern Exeter
27/4 Komedia Brighton
28/4 Arts Centre Colchester
29/4 Arts Centre Norwich
30/4 London ULU London