Single Review: Voices of One

The new single from Auckland indie cult band Hallelujah Picassos, Voices of One, seemed to come from out of the blue. The flip side is a Picassos’ tune that anyone who listened to the student radio network in the mid to late 1990’s will know that Black Spade Picasso Core was a favourite for many - possibly due to the profanity in the chorus…or maybe that was just me.

The new song Voices of One has a really strong chain gang sound to it with a stomping and clapping rhythm, and a chorus of voices chanting almost in monotones, which makes it addictive and hypnotic. The song itself has a straightforward structure with sparse instrumentation, and space around the many layers of voices which chant sometimes in unison, and sometimes in counterpoint.

It’s a solid and great song.

On the second side of the single which is coming out in a limited run of 300 on black vinyl with covers hand screen printed by the band, Black Spade Picasso Core, gets a great reworking into the current millennia, but loses nothing of its beautiful ferocity.

Sadly, it’s the last recording of Bobbylon’s vocals as he passed shortly after. Rest well Bobbylon, you bloody legend.

The single is a taster of the upcoming new album from Hallelujah Picassos, due out before the end of the year on 1:12 Records.

Vinyl is available for order online from Flying Out

The single was produced by the Hallelujah Picassos, recorded and engineered by Darryn Harkness at The Tone Exchange. Mastered by Angus McNaughton at Auralux Mastering. Cover art by John Pain, Roland Rorschach. Design by John Pain.

Review written by Darryl Baser