ALPINES Return With New Single ‘Completely’

In an age when we’re seemingly more desensitised to the idea of intimacy, Catherine Pockson’s emotive lyrics convey the complex nature of giving yourself so completely to someone only to feel short changed by them in return. Bob Matthew’s propulsive and nuanced production is full of subtlety, entwining with Pockson’s R&B melodies to create something canny and beguiling. Minimal sound but maximal emotion, while the songwriting evokes the melodic ear of hitmaker Jamie XX.

Thanks to these textures, ’Completely’ belongs as much on catwalks as it does in headphones, and Alpines are no strangers where the convergence of music and fashion is concerned having collaborated with All Saints, Paul Smith, Urban Outfitters, Madame Figaro Magazine. This weighty resumé of things Alpines have achieved in the fashion world and beyond since their debut album informs the sound of ‘Completely’: it’s cutting-edge, slick and trendy without trying.

In ‘Completely’ Alpines have taken a decisive step towards a more experimental and sophisticated sound. Their material has always eschewed typical generic classifications, but in ‘Completely’ they manage to toe the delicate balance between commercial melodic sensibilities on the one hand (with big, bold and relatable vocals), and cerebral leftfield sounds on the other. Alpines are a band that belong front and centre in the British pop consciousness. They’ve made fans out of The xx, The Maccabees and Florence Welch for good reason. ‘Completely’ is certainly one of their finest singles yet and it shows, more than anything, a duo that bleed pure boundless creativity.

Patrick Miller
Photography: Cyrus Mahboubian 

Alpines return with new single ‘Completely’ out via Metropolis on May 13th. Watch the music video here.