“Body Lotion” is a collaboration between Belgium’s Sleeperhold Publications, Australian duo HTRK and London-based artist David Ferrando Giraut. The three tracks on the record—“Sugar,” “Punch” and the title track, “Body Lotion”—date back to the sessions that led to the band’s 2011 album. For any HTRK fan, the opportunity to hear three unheard Work (Work Work)-era tracks is reason for both celebration and reflection. Two of the songs feature the unmistakable basslines of Sean Stewart, who died in 2010, before that record was released. Both “Sugar” and “Punch” were recorded live in HTRK’s London rehearsal room, the then trio of Jonnine Standish, Nigel Lee-Yang and Sean Stewart. On “Sugar,” Jonnine’s voice smolders through smeared drums and Sean’s bassline. “Punch” is spare and confessionary; “Body Lotion” is suggestive, winking and bruised, a trademark hook submerged beneath the murk. All three tracks mutated from the recording sessions that ultimately led to Work (Work Work) track “Slo Glo.” While they all stand as striking individual songs, they share subtle elements in common—a lyrical idea here, some guitar parts there.
David Ferrando Giraut’s distinctive artwork adorns “Body Lotion”’s sleeve and one side of the wax. (All three tracks feature on the record’s A-side.) The Spanish artist has a deep and intimate connection to HTRK—he was living with Nigel in London at a time when Sean would visit to sketch out songs in Nigel’s tiny room. They’ve collaborated before, too: Jonnine has narrated and appeared in some of his films, while Nigel has provided the music. Giraut’s previous installations have often carried a musical lean—he’s used LP covers and turntables in the past—and he’s found a rich stream of creative inspiration in music’s ability to create meaning and change in memory and behaviour. “Body Lotion” presents a beautiful, bittersweet glimpse into the recent past.
***** Tracklist:
1. Sugar (3:52)
2. Punch (4:09)
3. Body Lotion (3:24)
***** Description of physical packaging:
— Vinyl only, 350 pressed copies.
— One-sided 180 gram LP. A-side contains music, B-side contains an artist etching (done by David Ferrando Giraut). Cardboard sleeve.
***** Artist website(s):
yourcomicbookfantasy.com
sites.3vases.com/davidferrandogiraut/
Release date: 12 December 2014
Recording Location(s): unknown
Mastering: Rashad Becker @ Dubplates Berlin