Crate Digging: Imogen Reay, Music Supervisor

Imogen Reay, music supervisor at Twenty Below Music, discusses her top two finds.

Andrew Bird ‘Inside Problems’

I wasn’t familiar with his music but had heard some friends talking about him recently for his whistling and violin playing, and was intrigued. I put it on for a sunny hungover walk down the canal and it turned out to be exactly what my soul needed.

From the off it feels warm, intimate and uncomplicated. He uses a small amount of instruments throughout the record, a standout being the violin, played so brilliantly and intentionally. At times he plucks dancing, glittery melodies, and other times bowed lines that sound haunting and emotional. 

I was also gripped by his voice. He’s got such a nonchalant half spoken delivery, Lou Reed style, particularly in “The Night Before Your Birthday”. It’s so entertaining. 

But there are other tracks where he’s singing out more and you can hear a wavering and a pain to his voice - like in the title track, which I think is my favourite. The lyric “oh my God I just got born” and the way he delivers it feels very real.

I loved the shuffly rhythms and old folk sound of “Atomized” and the swagger and atmosphere he creates in “Lone Didion” with a simple bassline combined with pizz strings, reminding me of Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand”. 

And of course, a moment for the whistling. There are incredibly hooky little bits that I keep finding myself humming (I can’t whistle). And then sometimes it doubles a sweeping violin part, which I love the contrast of. It feels like a dark comedy or something. I think that’s what I enjoyed so much about this record - the mix of moods he manages to create and combine, without complicating it. It’s refreshing, and makes you want to whistle through life’s big questions and uncertainties with him.

Isaac Hayes ‘Hot Buttered Soul’

It consists of just four tracks, each one a masterpiece, and the star of the show for me undoubtedly being “Walk On By”. Originally by Dionne Warwick, there have been so many brilliant repurposing’s of this track, recently including Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” (which I’m sorry but you cannot but love).

I was so incredibly glad to be reminded of Isaac Hayes’ version. There is instant drama and gravitas to it, from just two drum hits opening into incredible strings. It’s then over two minutes of being deliciously teased by a one note bassline and unpredictable distorted guitar solo - before he starts singing. And when he does, it is most certainly worth the wait, with one of the smoothest bassy vocals out there. It builds into a massive and thrilling sound that leaves you feeling a bit stunned by the end.

Then comes “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” (woah), with so much instant funk in its bassline and groove that you want to just sit in it forever. “One Woman” is so unapologetically crooning one might go as far as to say “cheese”, but that chorus just makes my heart soar. It’s packed with joyous brass and soaring strings and an epic female choir.

He takes you on a total journey with these rich and lengthy tracks - 45 mins in four songs - and I loved every single indulgent minute of it, which for a gen z concentration span says a lot.

If you’d like to know more, or you’re keen to discover more of our repertoire, please contact: labelsyncuk@concord.com.