Link to our Facebook
Link to our Instagram
Link to our TikTok

Live Review: LISTEN: The Presets 'Ghosts'

8 August 2012 | 9:00 am | Antigone Anagnostellis

Sydney’s favourite electro duo The Presets are back in fine form with their new single ‘Ghosts’ released this week from Modular.

Sydney’s favourite electro duo THE PRESETS are back in fine form with their new single ‘Ghosts’ released this week from Modular. It’s been almost four years since we’ve heard from them, and their next album Pacifica is due to be released on September 14.

Some say that ‘Ghosts’ sounds a bit too Coldplay but I am getting a much more tribal, Native American feel from this track.

We start with expressive strings and Julian’s smooth vocals guiding us through his ‘sea shanty’ story. The mellow start reminds me of an electro take on the campfire ballad, “Once I was a very young man...sailed across to far away lands.” ‘Ghosts’ is less bass-driven than classic PRESETS tracks (remember ‘Talk Like That’?) and rather lined up with tribal grunts and cries.

Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter

There’s some interesting rhythms in the build-up, focusing on snare percussion and floating synth. The chorus features sweeping vocals dotted by Julian’s strong ‘ghosts, ghosts, ghosts.’ When these two headline Parklife the crowd won’t know whether to sway along to the chorus or hands up in the air bouncing.

The vocals aren’t as expressive as some THE PRESETS’ earlier tracks but ‘Ghosts’ isn’t exactly commercial dance material. It’s an interesting choice for a single release but gives a promising insight into the upcoming album. There’s a suspicious feel of a recipe for the carefree life: “Cocaine, sun, women and wine”. Have a listen and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Words by Antigone Anagnostellis