Ears Wide Open: Skin Town

Seraphina Lotkhamnga on November 14th, 2013

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If you’re thinking that there hasn’t been a smoother band around town since the Neighbourhood, that’s where L.A.-based duo Skin Town enters. Comprised of Grace Hall on vocals and Zola Jesus collaborator Nick Turco on beats, the duo came together when Turco and Hall were hanging at a show by the Dream (Zola Jesus had opened the night) and realized their mutual love for R&B. With Hall’s smooth tones and topsy-turvy phrasing and Turco’s ability to manipulate synth sounds, Skin Town fuses New Jack swing with electro-pop for a glistening effect on seductive songs such as “Midnight Lover” and “2Nite.” Although ’90s influences can be heard in the duo’s music, this isn’t some light Ariana Grande R&B. It’s R&B that swallows you whole after its sleek composition beckons you in with simple yet coquettish melodies. One more thing: There are few people who can cover a cheesy Craig David song and make it sound contemporary and enticing. File next to the Weekend, Autre Ne Veut and How To Dress Well. Skin Town’s debut album “The Room” is out now via Time No Place.

||| Stream: Midnight Lover” and “2Nite”