Louis Baker is on the verge of a very busy time in his life, but you wouldn’t know it while listening to his new single.
“Been and Gone”, a collaboration with Wallace, takes its time. It really takes its time. The track’s soulful notes float breezily through the air, in no rush to reach their destination. The deeply felt Motown-influenced bass lines battle with languorous drum grooves, although battle would be the wrong word for this simmering affair.
Sounding like if Khruangbin were fronted by two blue-eyed soul crooners, Baker and longtime friend Wallace exquisitely weave their voices together throughout the track, creating melting moments of divine union. A truly complimentary collaborator, Baker also allows Wallace’s sultry voice plenty of time to shine on its own.
Underneath it all, Baker explains, are powerful words. “The themes of empowerment, self-knowledge, and knowing your worth were at the forefront of our minds during the writing process,” he says.
As for Wallace, she was more than happy to finally work with her close friend. “Louis and I have known each other since we were teenagers, and were in the same year at jazz school,” she adds. “We’ve been following and supporting each other’s music since day one, so it’s been lovely to finally combine our powers and write something together.”
You can watch the accompanying music video below: directed by Tom Grut, the clip captures the feel-good spirit of the track, and sees the duo spending a blissful day together in their hometown of Wellington.
“Been and Gone” follows “Misty in Matakana” – a truly lovely track title – and arrives on the cusp of the soul singer’s European tour with the one and only Fat Freddy’s Drop, which will take in a massive nineteen stops across the continent. The tour will include performances at several high-profile festivals, including the Galway International Arts Festival in Ireland (more tour information here).
Louis Baker’s “Been and Gone” (ft. Wallace) is out now via Ngākau Records.
