Initially, a duo who formed a band after busking together on the London underground, Ten Fé are now complete as a quartet, with the addition of some of the pair’s childhood friends to the group some years ago. Their new album, Still in Love, is due for release on January 24th – made up of eleven new tracks, Still in Love is a complete joy to indulge in, with the general sound of this album and past works from the band being compared to Britain’s early 80’s ‘Madchester’ scene and the likes of The Verve and Foals, due to the group’s use of steady guitar and whimsical string work.
With the band’s last full-length album before this one, ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’, being released back in 2019, it is safe to say that the wait has been well worth it for fans – Still in Love is an atmospheric exploration of human connection, letting us into the deep corners of the minds of lyricists Benjamin Moorhouse and Leo Duncan. With four tracks already released on streaming services, seven more are to come, in which there is a plethora of memorable singles.
Of those not yet released, an inarguably distinctive track on the album is ‘Thommy’ – the song acts as a light breath of fresh air between the assortment of kaleidoscopic leading synths and steady beats surrounding it, exploring the intricacies of interpersonal human relationships and friendships, and questioning what it means to truly know someone. Alongside the blend of Moorehouse and Duncan’s vocals on this track comes an intricate, delicate assemblage of guitar and synth, giving us something that is truly intimate and deep-seated at its core.
Another standout track on the album, previously released in August of 2024, is ‘Space Invader’. The song is a melodic, wistful exploration of the difficulties surrounding personal boundaries and growing accustomed to sharing your life with another, with a strong undercurrent of melancholy yearning and hindsight running throughout the lyrics. Sparks of deliberation and brooding are accompanied by a profusion of upbeat chords and contrapuntal sounds. Commenting on the creation of the single, Ten Fé discuss the intricacies of emotional vulnerability:
‘It is a moment of reflection in the midst of an argument. It’s the moment you realise that you’re wrong, but you’ve pushed the other person too far away to bring them back and resolve. Instead, the more you argue and convince yourself you’re right, the more you continue to push the other person away. In my case, I pursue, and invade the other person’s space…communication has broken down and I’ve lost them’.
‘Middle of My Head’ is yet another notable number from Ten Fé on Still in Love – an upbeat, sanguine blend of jazzy chords and prominent, mellow vocals, this track is a glimpse into a bright future for the band and truly stands out against other numbers on the album. Motivational and confident in its lyricism and production, ‘Middle of My Head’ is not to be missed.
With the band’s name translating to ‘Have Faith’ in Spanish, Ten Fé have quite obviously stayed true to their brand with the creation of this new album, with almost every track providing essences of optimism and ambition. Despite a few numbers feeling rather melancholy and woefully reflective in their composition, the album continues the same vibrant and pleasurable nuance the band has utilised to keep listeners tuned in since their first release back in 2013. With such a diverse amalgamation of tracks ranging from nostalgic and bittersweet to buoyant and hopeful, it is nearly impossible not to lose oneself in Ten Fé’s new releases.
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