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Orange Juice

Stanley Brinks, formerly known as André Herman Düne, is a half Swedish, half Moroccan, Paris-born, Berlin-resident singer-songwriter. The Wave Pictures are a three-piece band from Leicestershire fronted by singer/guitarist David Tattersall. Both they and Brinks have recorded prolifically. Jointly they have released at least three albums and as many singles, with 'Orange Juice', issued in 2014, being the first of the latter. It was released as a bright orange 7" on the Fika Recordings label.

A week ago I wrote "very often I need to hear an unfamiliar song several times before its charms or its annoyances become fully apparent": 'Orange Juice' is a counter-example, a case where it was love at first hearing. In a nasal tenor, Brinks laments the state of the weather, his own decrepitude, the music he hears on the radio, the dirty streets, and, lastly, the apparent futility of existence. Against all that, a more optimistic chorus rejoins "but I'll get by / with a little bit of you; / alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, / ephedrine and orange juice".

Meanwhile The Wave Pictures provide a sympathetic accompaniment (and backing vocals), with some short but sweet guitar solos from Tattersall. It has a warm & spontaneous feel about it. Their backing is no less accomplished on the B-Side - 'Maybe I WIll See You Again' - but unsurprisingly it's a less memorable song all round.

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