Nice Town by Metronomy x Pan Amsterdam
Metronomy — esteemed purveyors of some of the world’s best-loved and eclectic indie-electronic pop music — have announced their new single “Nice Town”, released alongside news of the band’s signing to Ninja Tune.
A collaboration with New York by way of Houston artist Pan Amsterdam, the release marks the first taste of the follow up to Metronomy’s genre-spanning ‘Posse EP Volume 1’ — an entire release of collaborations which saw them working with up-and-coming artists like Biig Piig, Spill Tab, Sorry, Brian Nasty and Folly Group.
"My collaborations always start out the same way,” explains Joe Mount, Metronomy’s founder, lead songwriter and only permanent member. “I send out a folder of ideas, beats mainly, and see what comes back. Some artists will play around with a number of the tracks, and some will focus just on one thing that works for them. With Pan Amsterdam, it was the latter, one of those tracks that when he sent it back it was like ‘Oh wow’, it just all fell into place.” “It’s sort of an old school rap track,” he continues, “but in the case of Pan he doesn’t just rap, he’s also an incredible jazz trumpet player, who also works with Iggy Pop”
“‘Nice Town’ deals with my own battles,” adds Pan Amsterdam. “With the internal versus the external or, intangible versus the tangible. I'm always trying to remember that tangibles may applaud my pursuit in attempting to fulfill my purpose but that my purpose is not tangible. Nor is it for my ego to be gratified. A "Town" can be a "Nice" thing to blame during these reckonings with the inner dimensions of one's self. And it's "Nice" to have a new "Town" interrupting this reckoning, and escape to.“
Continuing where 'Posse EP Volume 1’ left off, “Nice Town” again sees the band working with an emerging talent. “To me, it's exciting to be involved with artists at this point in their career,” explains Mount. “The whole spirit is one of discovering artists, and to make something that you find inspiring”.
The single also marks the first new music on the band’s new label home Ninja Tune, and signals the beginning of a new chapter of music. "It feels like a full circle moment,” says Mount of the signing. “As a teenager I was obsessed with the romance of labels like Ninja Tune, Warp and Wall of Sound. The artists they represented really made me who I am as a musician today. With Ninja Tune, they are a label who have gone from strength to strength at a time when it’s pretty hard to do that, and it’s something I think can also be said of Metronomy"
“Nice Town (ft. Pan Amsterdam)” is out now on Ninja Tune. Fans can also purchase a special limited edition “Nice Town” 12” single vinyl — housed in the classic yellow Ninja Tune sleeve which has not been used for a release in over ten years.
Tracklist
| 1. | Nice Town (Original) | 2:47 |
| 2. | Nice Town (Metronomy Remix) | 3:07 |
| 3. | Nice Town (Alain Ogue Remix) | 4:16 |
