We attended one of Arthur Beatrice's earliest gigs—barely illuminated at East London's Shacklewell Arms. It seems like a million year ago, but it was probably only three, but even in those early days there was something about the quartet: so understated, singer Ella Girardot, so slight with a vocal so effortlessly arresting. Soothing and perfectly pitched to appeal to fans of The xx and Jessie Ware alike.A couple months back they released their first new song in years "Who Returned" and below is their second new track "Real Life," a cut that announces their return even more triumphantly, while ushering in the announcement that their second album, Keeping the Peace, will hit this May. It's a full length that features collaborations with the London Contemporary Orchestra to boot."Real Life" begins as a sultry tune hinged, as ever, on Ella's plush tones, before soaring forth in the chorus—uplifting and beautifully vibrant—with a few New Order vibes in the guitar line at the three minute mark. Combined with those house-y piano stabs the effect is quite divine."We wrote 'Real Life' at an age when you suddenly see your parents don't feel any differently about themselves than you do," explain the band. "It shows the sacrifices that they made to raise you in a more relatable light, as you start making those same decisions yourself, and thinking about the future."Listen below.
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Arthur Beatrice's second album, Keeping The Peace, is out on 5.20 via Open Assembly Recordings/Polydor Records.