Reviews

Tillate Magazine

"Rarely do the guys at Gung Ho! pi… Read Full Bio ↴Reviews

Tillate Magazine

"Rarely do the guys at Gung Ho! pick up a dud and it is yet more quality uncovered here - Glide & Swerve will certainly stand out from the labels pool of edgy electro artists; instead, these guys specialise in dreamy, delicious balearic house and electronica and they've come up with an absolute sweetheart of an album"

IDM Magazine

"Crazy P meets Spirit Catcher by way of a down-tempo Adam Freeland and Deep Dish. This is erotic electronica - laidback Nu-Disco at its best. Barbeque; bath; cooking; cleaning; reading; ironing; in a bar, restaurant or club…This is diverse, catchy and instantly lovable.

Over half the album warrants being named as a ‘stand out track’ and the one that really does it for me is ‘Lara’s Song’. The groove, the euphoric woodwind sound, the pads, the tempo, the vocal elements and the varied segments clearly illustrate everything that makes a great electronic track. The emotion and soul of the pair really shine through in this track that is a great example for any budding producer…" 9/10

Thedailymusicguide.com

"Like a Rubik's Cube, the more time you devote to this album, the more likely it is to yield up its pleasures to your receptive eardrums."

The SUN

“a totally Balearic debut album, Bring Back Love, sounds something like Lemon Jelly or Zero 7 and is ideal for those blissful chill moments”

www.thebeatsurrender.com

"They show a real attention to detail, be it a cymbal crash at the end of And I Smile (which is the forthcoming single) to the beats that make Here & Now such a treasure of weird pysche. While they do utilise vocalists to brilliant effect throughout the album they also provide some quality instrumental moments.

It really is a delightful album from start to finish and is certainly up there with the best dance albums released this year."

About the Album

Glide & Swerve’s cloud-gazing electronica is the perfect companion to 2009’s summer adventures. Mining a similar path to Lemon Jelly, Ultramarine, and Zero 7, the duo’s debut album, ‘Bring Back Love’, is a beautifully crafted long-player brimming with horizontal beats, pastoral melodies, and Balearic goodness.

Glide & Swerve, aka Ivan and Simon, began life in Hong Kong as a production outfit and promoters of the island’s most infamous parties (often 2 day affairs which attracted international travelers, ex-pats, and Hong Kong Chinese alike). In addition to the DJs they’d fly in, Glide & Swerve would perform live alongside several vocalists, occasional dance troops, musicians, and a video artist who would create live backdrops on a 40 foot canvas behind the band.

Upon returning to the UK, G&S began working on their own material and remixes for other artists. They released tracks and mixes for the likes of Pacha, Seamless, and 852, before recently signing with top indie imprint, Gung-Ho! Recordings, the home of The Japanese Popstars, Burn The Negative, Zoo Brazil, Petter & The Pix, Gus Gus, and more.

If electro pop is the current sound of Saturday night Britain, then ‘Bring Back Love’ is the soundtrack to a Sunday afternoon spent in ‘recovery’. Forthcoming single, ‘And I Smile’, is one of the album’s vocal tracks, and is currently being played by specialist radio shows including that of French whiz, Laurent Garnier.

Elsewhere, the album crosses downtempo beats (‘Inner Dub’), with dub (‘Falling’ and ‘The Journey Back’), quirky lounge (‘The Last Stand Of Mr Dann’), and psychedelic breakbeat (‘Here & Now’). Soundtrack-style moments such as ‘Lara’s Song’, sit neatly with the broken rhythms of ‘Feel It’, while tracks such as ‘Pure’ and ‘This Is Yours’ show Glide & Swerve can also take the tempo up a notch with ease.

Here & Now
Glide & Swerve Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where did you go?
You're so far!
I-miss your face
Last one gave me scars
But chu bettered me, felt so heavenly
Now I found myself, she belittled me
And you made me a better person and I love you for that
And I never forget the stuff that always set me farther back

But I found you after
You were like magic
You jumped in the hole with me when I thought my life was tragic
I was goin' down hill, I was goin' down bad
But chu put a smile on my face, don't make me sad
You just told me the truth
You had me cry in the coupe
I still cry in my booth
No time to forget and just get loose but-
I try to change my ways every second, every hour
Used to crying in the shower, gave you tips and you were sour
Stabbed my heart, yea you're a coward!
Wasted my time, too many hours
Just straight stuck in my head, sleepless nights never peace to go to bed
Where did you go?
You're so far!
I-miss your face
Last one gave me scars
But chu bettered me, felt so heavenly
Now I found myself, she belittled me
And you made me a better person and I love you for that
And I never forget the stuff that always set me farther back
But I found you after
You were like magic
You jumped in the hole with me when I thought my life was tragic
Livin' a lie, livin' a lie
Leave me alone, I'm gon' cry
Power invested in me, keep my feelings on a certain degree
90 degrees Fahrenheit, come on let's share the light
Maybe strum my guitar
I never thought we would make it this far!
And you made me a better person and I love you for that
And I never forget the stuff that always set me farther back
But I found you after
You were like magic
You jumped in the hole with me when I thought my life was tragic
Where did you go?
You're so far!
I-miss your face
Last one gave me scars
But chu bettered me, felt so heavenly
Now I found myself, she belittled me
And you made me a better person and I love you for that
And I never forget the stuff that always set me farther back
But I found you after

You were like magic
You jumped in the hole with me when I thought my life was tragic

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Glide & Swerve's song "Here & Now" depict a journey of emotional growth and self-discovery. The singer expresses a longing for someone who was instrumental in their personal development, acknowledging the distance that has come between them. The opening lines convey a sense of loss and nostalgia, as the singer reflects on the impact this person had on them despite the scars left behind by a previous relationship. The acknowledgment of improvement and the feeling of being uplifted by this individual is evident in phrases like "chu bettered me, felt so heavenly" and "you made me a better person."

The lyrics further delve into the complexities of relationships and the highs and lows that come with them. The singer contrasts the negativity of past experiences with the positivity brought by this significant person, highlighting the transformative power of their presence in the singer's life. The imagery of jumping into a hole together symbolizes a shared experience of facing challenges head-on and finding solace in each other during difficult times. Despite the struggles and heartaches endured, there is a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the growth that resulted from this connection.

As the lyrics progress, there is a raw vulnerability expressed through the singer's emotions. The feelings of betrayal and hurt emerge as the singer confronts the pain caused by another individual's actions. The honesty in facing one's emotions, even when they are difficult, is portrayed through lines like "You had me cry in the coupe, I still cry in my booth." The act of trying to change and evolve is emphasized, showcasing a desire for personal growth and inner healing despite the challenges faced along the way.

In the final verses, there is a sense of resolution and acceptance as the singer reflects on the progress made and the impact of this significant person on their life. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the longing and gratitude felt towards this individual, emphasizing the enduring impact of their presence. Ultimately, "Here & Now" captures the complexities of human relationships, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of love and connection to inspire growth and transformation.

Line by Line Meaning

Where did you go?
Asking about the disappearance of someone who was once close

You're so far!
Expressing feelings of distance and longing for that person

I-miss your face
Admitting missing the presence and comfort of the person

Last one gave me scars
Reflecting on past hurtful experiences in relationships

But chu bettered me, felt so heavenly
Acknowledging personal growth and positive influence from the person

Now I found myself, she belittled me
Realizing self-worth after being put down by someone else

And you made me a better person and I love you for that
Expressing gratitude and love for the positive impact of the person

And I never forget the stuff that always set me farther back
Remembering the obstacles and setbacks encountered in the past

But I found you after
Finding comfort and support after difficult times

You were like magic
Describing the special and uplifting qualities of the person

You jumped in the hole with me when I thought my life was tragic
Having someone who stands by you during tough times