London’s Ten Fé have released their sophomore album ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’ via Some Kinda Love/PIAS. Leo Duncan and Ben Moorhouse returned to London from touring Ten Fé’s debut album ‘Hit The Light’ – what had begun as a duo had evolved on the road into a fully formed band with Rob Shipley, Johnny Drain and Alex Hammond completing the line up. Sold-out shows across the US and Europe, along with tens of millions of Spotify streams, had yielded a new-found confidence and a raw, emotional and expansive new sound. Singles ‘Won’t Happen’, ‘Not Tonight’, ‘Coasting’ and ‘Echo Park’ from the album have all been New Music Friday in multiple territories at Spotify and Best Of The Week globally at Apple Music.
‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’ is a dreamy whoosh of refreshing tunes that cruise along at a steady wholesome pace as Ten Fé flesh out their soul fulfilling musicianship through beautiful melodies and soothing instrumentation. There is depth in every track as the band wear their hearts on their sleeves displaying tender moments and delicate vulnerabilities through sweet tones and elegant writing. ‘Won’t Happen’ kicks all this lusciousness off with a melancholic melody floating delicately through warm guitar jingles, soft drums and soothing vocals. Ten Fé’s ability to create wholly satisfying tracks through consoling instrumentation is captivating. Each track is a breath of fresh summer air with campfire evening nights glimmering between joyous, sombre musicianship. Each song is simple and delicate with immense richness and depth driving it right into your heart.Pure and relaxing the tracks lead you further into a sedating and uplifting state of bliss. ‘Isn’t Ever A Day’ ‘No Night Lasts Forever’, ‘Can’t Take You With Me’ and ‘Caught On The Inside’ drift along into your ears. Laid back and effortless the meaningful songwriting is passionate yet calm and fluid. It’s easy to find a place in your heart for all these little gems. They quickly become a part of you and this is the delightful side effect of Ten Fé’s musicianship.
The impeccable vocal contrast of Leo Duncan and Ben Moorhouse creates a distinct and rich texture to the album. Moorhouse’s deep baritone showcases raw emotion perfectly while Duncan’s sweet and emotional vocals are that comfy blanket that soothes and caresses your ears delicately. This subtle shift in vocals for tracks like ‘Echo Park’ and ‘Coasting’ is what keeps the album refreshing and vibrant. There is a melodic Fleetwood Mac flow to ‘Caught On The Inside’. It’s heartfelt melody and lush harmonies make this sombre tune a treasure while the elegant yet dark piano in ‘To Lie Here Is Enough’ strips everything back leaving just simple emotion and another tender vocal melody to leave you in tears.
Ten Fé’s ability to wrap you up in lavish majestic melodies is sublime. The buoyant cheery ‘Here Again’ and swoony ‘Not Tonight’ display this perfectly. With sweet toned guitar injections and soft percussion these tracks add a dash of zest into the sugary delightful flurry of the album while radiating sun kissed glows throughout. The band choose to bring the album to a close with ‘Superrich’ a stomping number that presents a more swaggering side to the band as the clever lyrics hop through smooth vocals as strong chords on keys add a spring into the tracks step while subtle guitar whines inject a sting to this honest and somewhat lyrically brutal number.
‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’ is a well thought out, mature album that encompasses all the rich depths of Ten Fé‘s musicianship. It’s deeply romantic, melancholic and soothing with luscious melodies, refined instrumentation and wholesome goodness. These guys take us through a varied journey that leaves you feeling regenerated and wiser after.
Stream ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’ below
