words by O.D.M
photo by Hannah Gottschalk
The Beautiful Now are a Swiss duo consisting of Toni and Flo. They both produce tracks and can play a whole lotta instruments. They refer to themselves as ”purveyors of delicious soulful goods,” which is pretty accurate considering that their take on hip hop has more in common with a Bilal or an Om’Mas Keith than it does with what you tend to hear on most hip hop playlists these days. Their sound is warm, soft, fuzzy and full of texture, sort of like your favourite soul record properly cut to vinyl and played on a decent system. They also have a thing for afro-rhythms, which you can hear in how their beats swing: they make that body music.
Their new EP is titled Current and features a whole bunch of friends and friends of family. Dizzee Senze, Spooks McGhie, Kay, J.Hoard, BIGYUKI and Yamin Semali all make vocal appearances. Our favourite track is definitely the feel good anthem Sabor (or flavour in English). It features Brooklynite J.Hoard singing his heart out to channel a better world. The man says we all have that flavour to change things for the better, and I believe him! Plus, the way the beat flips at the end of the tune done did things to my body that words just can’t express. Current is out courtesy of the kind folks at Boyoom. Physical product is available on Bandcamp.
