Elder Island – Ordinary Love
Bristol’s Elder Island return with their first single in three years, ‘Ordinary Love’ – a hypnotic, synth-driven track that marks their highly anticipated return.
Out 19th November In association with !K7, it sees the trio step back into focus as one of the UK’s most intriguing live acts.
On new single ‘Ordinary Love’, Elder Island are at their finest – brooding, atmospheric and irresistibly rhythmic. From the opening pulse of arpeggiated synths to its euphoric climax, the track leans into the band’s signature push-and-pull between tension and release. Katy Sargent’s vocals, soulful yet restrained, glide over a driving house-garage beat with commanding control on a song about conquering desire and learning to make “the right decision”, creating something as emotionally charged as it is danceable. Drawing subtle inspiration from Casablanca, The Lord of the Rings and ritualistic devotion, ‘Ordinary Love’ sees the band continue to merge cinematic storytelling with club-ready hedonism.
Elder Island say:
“This track came together really quickly from the initial writing session. A lot of the sounds in the current song were there from the start; bouncy synths, chords and the vocal chorus hook, which was written half an hour into the recording. It had a real drive. The presiding arpeggiator was always the main pillar, emerging from this original session. It meant when we started to form and play ‘Ordinary Love’, we built it on a classic formulaic dance track structure. But as Katy worked on the vocal melodies and builds, filling it out, the emotive side to the song started to shine through. It blossomed into this true hybrid heart-filled dance track.”
‘Ordinary Love’ also arrives with its own striking visual world directed by long-time collaborator Nic Kane. Set against the brutalist backdrop of a disused hangar, three mysterious characters (all played by frontwoman Katy Sargent) find themselves caught under constant surveillance. Channelling Euro-spy intrigue and a playful sense of danger, The film unfolds as a retro-inspired cat-and-mouse chase, balancing stylised tension with bursts of movement and performance art energy.
‘Ordinary Love’ marks Elder Island’s anticipated return and the beginning of a new era for the band, capturing the trio at their most confident and emotionally resonant. Moving from shadowy introspection to dancefloor liberation, the single is a striking reminder of why the Bristol group remain one of the UK’s most forward-thinking and quietly influential acts – and a first glimpse of what’s still to come.
Over the past decade, Elder Island have forged a sound entirely their own – hypnotic synths, intricate rhythms, and soulful vocals that blur the line between electronic and indie. Since forming in 2013, the trio – Katy Sargent, Luke Thornton and David Havard – have built a distinctive catalogue, from early EPs Elder Island (2014) and Seeds in Sand (2016) to their acclaimed albums The Omnitone Collection (2019) and Swimming Static (2021).
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