Totem - See-Saw Girl

Single review by kev@thesoundofconfusion.co.uk

Totem are a three-piece band from London, something which, at time of writing is rather fitting as their Facebook page has 333 likes. That number is sure to increase as more people hear their music. The band formed back in 2009 but 'See-Saw Girl' is their first proper single after signing to the Moshi Moshi label, something which will do their cause no harm. Perhaps its their experience of playing and, presumably, writing together for so long that has led to them coming up with such an inventive sound. This doesn't sound like a début single at all. It has the hallmarks of a band with clear idea of where they're headed, and we haven't heard anything quite like it before.

We'll do away with talk of genres and go back to the old fashioned way of writing about music (track down some reviews from the 1960s, they're totally different to modern press) by simply describing, as best we can, the details of this oddity. OK, so they have an almost motorik beat that adds instant pace to the song, the repetitive bassline then joins in with vigour, and the track becomes instantly engaging. Vocals switch between an odd, low monotone and a high-pitched cry. The guitars are abrasive for the most part and don't fit a particular style. They chop things up a bit, with that bassline altering and a breakdown allowing a guitar solo of sorts before everything gathers once again. We're not sure what it is, but we like it.



Totem's website

Buy the single

Catch them live:

Thurs, Sept 26, Total Refreshment Centre N16SX





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