Single, 2018, Paul Institute.
Buy it on Boomkat.

"Recently seen live", part 2.

Seven years on, still one of my favourite discoveries from two decades of seeking out new music. I loved it when I first heard it, and it just never got old. That mysterious-looking Paul Institute label keeps on spinning and spinning. The brilliant synth production, all the wonderful little flourishes (check the piano riff at 1:30), great lyrics topped by one of the most clever song titles, and a vocal performance that brings across the despair of the lyrics in a way that very few artists are able to (I'm getting Beautiful Ones vibes from this track).

My temperature's lowered
My body's losing heat
… I wish that you could feel the cold right now

I don't get why Ruthven is still so much of an insiders' tip, but I appreciated the chance to see him live in a smaller setting. It might not stay that way for long. I learned that his voice is just as impressive as you'd expect from hearing the records, that he had a very good reason for taking so long to release his debut album (touring with Sampha), and that he's a really friendly, funny, and down-to-earth person. Go see this guy if you get the chance!

Ruthven's debut album, Rough & Ready, was released on Paul Institute/XL last October. Check out my current favourite track from it, Itch. It will probably be a featured post some day, as well :)