Features Upbringing: Pandr Eyez

London duo Pandr Eyez began their musical career looking like potential vanguards of alternative, unconventional pop. Whatever that means. They started by signing to Cascine and releasing a debut EP - ‘Eyes On You - of floaty, glossy numbers, tied together with a love for R&B. This love we’re speaking of has decided to spread its wings for Ferren Gipson and Tom Lloyd’s new single. Out today on Double Denim Records, ‘Physical Education’ is an all-out ode to big choruses and sparkly, pristine production. Neu decided to find out more about the pair’s unique musical upbringing. They assisted with this by giving us a rundown of their favourite pop and R&B hits that form pre-show rituals and weekend soundtracks:

Ferren’s Picks
Prince - Purple Rain 
We’re both big Prince fans and when we first met and were sharing our musical tastes, quite a bit of Prince came up. This one is a fun one to sing along to. Ooooooh.

Wyclef Jean ft. Mary J Blige - 911 

We once drunkenly (and loudly) sang this song with a group of friends up and down the streets of East London after going to a bunch of gallery openings. Fun night.

Roxanne Shante - Roxanne’s Revenge
This is a song we come back to a lot. It’s just great vibes and really captures the essence of a great time in hip hop.

R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix) 
Rolling Stone came out with some Top 100 songs list or something a few years ago and we were betting on what songs would be on it. Tom named this one and, while I do like it, I didn’t think it would be on. I lost that argument…

L’Trimm - Cars That Go Boom

This song is pure fun. If you don’t know about it, you need to see about it.

Tom’s Picks
Grandmaster Melle Mel - White Lines (Don’t Do It) 
This is one we like to sing together, especially the bit where it goes do-do-do-do-do-do-don’t d-d-d-do it ba-ba-baby. Although it is an anti-cocaine song, we reckon that by the way the vocals are arranged, it subliminally tells you to do it…

Slick Rick - Children’s Story

Another classic sing-along tune and it’s really fun to do the Slick Rick voice. Try it yourself at home.

Ice Cube - It Was a Great Day
So many quotables in this tune. I am thankful every day that I didn’t have to use my AK, and tend to eat the breakfast with no hog (getting my grub on but not pigging out).

The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy

An all-time classic. I don’t believe Biggie had both a Super Nintendo AND a Sega Genesis – now that is the life.