Grand Pax - Phase

On her debut single ‘Comet’, released back in May, London’s Grand Pax made a mesmeric introduction, teaming trip-hoppy beats with a gorgeous, silky vocal line and melodies that float their way into your brain effortlessly like smoke.

She’s releasing her self-titled debut EP this Friday (13th July) via Blue Flowers (Nilüfer Yanya, Puma Blue, Westerman) and has now shared another cut from the collection.

‘Phase’ lifts off where ‘Comet’ left off, before serving to only further the promise that the debut cut hinted at. Grand Pax exists on the fringes of a host of different styles, and proceeds to draw them all confidently into her world. Beginning with gloomy, chunky rattles of synths that feel akin to the cut-and-paste style of Mount Kimbie, the track then becomes significantly smoother and more dream-like when the singer’s pitch-perfect vocals make their entrance.

‘Phase’ does little to allow us further inside Grand Pax’s mind; across her limited releases so far, there’s been a significant level of anonymity associated with the newcomer, from fuzzy press shots where her face is barely visible, to a confident but distant sound. Far from the wave of mid-’00s bands who branded themselves on their anonymous nature, though, it doesn’t serve to her detriment: there may come a time when we can start to gain insight into the real Grand Pax, but for now, there’s plenty enough feeling in the likes of ‘Phase’ to use the track to turn the lens inward instead.