Library music influenced duo deliver a brisk, fresh debut set of soul-jazz teasers. – Backseat Mafia

Bringing something new to the table where Library music sits as the prime influence is difficult but Swedish producers Fredrik Bergsten and Marcus Larsson might be onto something with their debut EP as Yesterday’s Princess ‘Tomorrow’s Yearning’, out now on Deep Matters. Both long time devotees of hip-hop sounds and the endless possibilities of samples and beats, they first moved to ditching their recorded sources and moving to composing tune primarily with real instruments around COVID time. Not that they’ve abandoned their foundations altogether, the killer riff, the ear-worm hook, the locomotive beat and magical tonal moments are still fundamental to this collection. So whereas other Library lovers like Surprise Kitchen bring that smart funkiness and Sven Wunder that retro touch, Yesterday’s Princess are forging something of their own sound on this sharply focused set.

The aptly named Anemoia, shows the duo nodding to their KPM/De Wolfe Music inspirations while working up a sultry piece of hazed soul-funk that’s of today. Larsson’s Rhodes ripples dreamily while Bergsten’s fluent guitar lines soars around the breezy melody until the whole tune takes a surprise pause. This stop shows the song-like intention here, drawing the listener in with some light conga suggestions until the beat resumes topped with a more ruffled guitar, yearning with bluesy sustain.

The Yesterday’s Princess duo certainly laser in on the details with this opener, the distant synth string sighs, the lightest brass-toned vamps and the neatly chiselled snare all subtly executed to give the song a natural flow. Next up, on the relaxed Not Today (Maybe Tomorrow) the Rhodes takes a jazz toned melodic lead as the percussive stroll zips across the channels. It’s a succinct, almost incidental track which may fade too soon but at least it does so with authentic Library music control.

There’s a sense of probing and still discovering about the whole EP, testing out their shift from samples to live playing and realising they are onto something. Bergsten and Larsson initially demoed the tracks using A.J.Hall’s Leftfield Drum Break catalogue, then brought A.J. into the studio to re-work the rhythms and give the cuts a more ‘in the moment’ swing. That elevation comes through on the whispering shimmy of Tommy Guerrero-esque, chilled funk of Bygone but perhaps it’s the EP closer, Meanwhile, which marks this outing’s most satisfying stretch. Here the song strolls effortlessly while a chirpy synth bobs around before switching into some late night RnB smooching and a final, more urgent, bass lead coda. It’s designed to leave you hanging maybe…

‘Tomorrow’s Yearning’ may not be as immediately distinct as other Deep Matters instrumental releases from The Offline and Sholto but you sense that for Yesterday’s Princess this is just the start. There’s an eye for detail, a grasp of groove and an appreciation of soulful ambience which is likely to be going places.

Get your copy of ‘Tomorrow’s Yearning‘ by Yesterday’s Princess from Deep Matters Records HERE

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