“Field has brilliant corners yet to turn” – Pitchfork
“…observes a world blooming around him with discombobulated awe”
The Fader (no. 22 best tracks of the year 2021)
“…warm, lilting rhythms and bright melodies”
Crack Magazine
“Pure sonic beauty”
The Sunday Times
M Field shares a third single from his upcoming sophomore EP Re: M Field. “House & Leisure” follows “Block Universe” and “Hyenas” and comes just ahead of this EP on 9 June.
Watch the music video for “House & Leisure” below :
In Fields’ words, “House & Leisure” “is mainly about conjuring up a world for the pleasure of conjuring up a world, but perhaps also an imagining of some of my own thoughts or ideas translated into the voice and context of a character inhabiting it.”
He continues; “There is an interior in my mind that involves a lot of light, white walls and a kind of woven fibre fitted carpet which I think is actually called jute (though the similar ‘raffia’ sounded better) – which has a very particular smell and is often fitted to the stairs – low coffee tables and large pale tiles with underfloor heating, and perhaps a Nespresso machine. In such an environment I can imagine hearing
Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album – which is something that parents of my generation would listen to, something that seems almost emblematic of the taste of a certain suburban society – the kind of thing that would be playing at a dinner party or a ‘braai’; an album a business man might tipsily praise over lamb chops, perhaps calling specific attention to how exposed it is, and how you have to be good to do something so ‘stripped back’, perhaps employing a concept like ‘natural’ or ‘exposed’. They will get up early the next morning to play golf. This is no particular person – just a collage.”
Those who have followed M Field’s short solo career will be familiar with his playful approach. His excellent Bullion produced M Field EP was released last September and drew praise from Radio 1, 6 Music, NPR, DIY, The Line of Best Fit, Crack Magazine, Pitchfork and Fader who included song “Andrew” in among their best tracks of 2021.
This time round, Field’s Beatenberg bandmate and long-term collaborator Ross Dorkin sits in the producer’s chair, which means fewer synths, but no loss of the zesty playfulness that characterised M Field. This is the first time the pair have worked together on music as London residents.
“The choruses threaten to break character and sound more like ‘me’,” Field continues on “House & Leisure”. “I don’t know why I am drawn to this material, or to this indirect way of writing through it – perhaps it’s purely because it’s something I know (both the material and the indirect way of writing). ‘House & Leisure’ is a South African interior design magazine, but also just two words.”
Matthew Field already earned his stripes over the last two decades as one of the most interesting and unique voices in music helming Cape Town band Beatenberg. The band produced South Africa’s biggest ever airplay hit (Pluto) and has had record-breaking domestic critical and chart success, winning seven South Africa Music Awards for their debut album and releasing multiple number ones.
“It’s important to note that Wimbledon in winter is not a mistake but situates the song (“House & Leisure”) in the southern hemisphere,” Field says. “I think of this song as being ‘very pop’ – I hope there is something interesting about it.”
“House & Leisure” is out today and Re: M Field EP follows on June 9 via Leafy Outlook. M Field headlines London’s Omeara on May 23.
Tracklisting:
1. Hyenas
2. Block Universe
3. A-B
4. Fire on Campus
5. Jolly Roger
6. House and Leisure
