The Bird & The Bee – ‘Fucking Boyfriend’

These guys are so damn good at writing pop songs that it’s very hard to believe that one of them isn’t Swedish. With nary a Max Martin or Dr Luke in sight, The Bird and The Bee (or ‘Bird & Bee’ for shorthand’s sake) manage to craft sublimely wonderful pieces of tropical electronic music that seemingly fits into every genre and none of them at the same time. There is a hit writer in here, of course. You’ve heard his stuff buzzing around your head -pun intended- for years, most recently lending a production and instrumental hand to female chart-toppers like Sia, Lily Allen and Ke$ha, not to mention Foster The People. Here is a guy who can play every instrument under the sun, has toured as part of the backing band from everyone from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Beck and who is basically America’s secret friggin’ weapon because unless you read liner notes, you wouldn’t have a clue that he’s basically behind the steering wheel of a lot of chart music today. That’s not to discount his other half in this project, Inara George, who’s voice is as recognisable and delectable as his beats. But it’s a good piece of trivia to know. It will impress people at parties.

‘Fucking Boyfriend’ is the first single the duo released on Blue Note, which is more famous for jazz records than pop ones and runs an extremely tight ship when it comes to allowing in fresh blood. Perhaps it is because while electronic, there’s definitely a latin-jazz inflection to much of these guys’ work. Snare drums, equally as important as bass in these sorts of scenarios, are supplemented for claves, for instance. The chords are all phrased like barro (guitar) ones and set up for quick release to imply the act of strumming. But maybe most telling, for a song which features an f-bomb in it’s title, is that it’s particularly nice to listen to. Not that it’s inoffensive (that would make it bo-ring), but you don’t need to be going on a 25 minute run to be in the mood for it either. Not so surprising given that they only recently recorded a tribute to Hall & Oates.

But hook it begins and hook it remains – this is a chorus that proves Kurstin’s mettle. It’s not an easy one, either; spiralling ever upwards as George tests her range and my capability to sing falsetto in the car when I think nobody at a red light is looking at me. It’s interesting rhythmically, too. A sort of added-note thing where one phrase is gobbled up by the next: “Would you ever be my/Would you be my fucking boyfriend?” With a voice that’s a bit Regina Spektor and a bit everything else, Inara is as captivating as her main man manipulating the strings and skins. It’s a combination as good as Charles and Eddie at least. But even your little brother will probably want to listen to this.

The Bird & The Bee – ‘Fucking Boyfriend’

More birds and bees here.