Here at The Vinyl District HQ, we were huge fans of alternative London band Ex Libras, writing a rave review of their “Woe” EP back in 2015. While the band sadly called it a day, singer Amit Rai Sharma has made a welcome return, and we are delighted to name him our UK Artist of the Week.
Off the back of the stunning debut single, “Spells and Charms and Broken Homes,” Sharma has now dropped the equally impressive “Pieces.” Exhibiting his trademark use of loop pedals, “Pieces” builds and builds, pulling the listener in through the use of glitchy beats and Sharma’s ethereal vocal delivery. The track emits the kind of grandiose writing associated with Thom Yorke and Radiohead’s electronica, while maintaining Sharma’s unique style of songwriting.
Written from the perspective of Sharma’s grandmother, who suffered from dementia, the song highlights someone slipping in and out of lucid moments. This is beautifully characterised by Sharma’s emotive lyrics, highlighting his time spent with his grandmother as she lost herself, piece by piece, through dementia.
“Pieces” is taken from the forthcoming album, Bnju, which will be released later this year.