The ever-mysterious Claptone, responsible for some of the most intriguing original productions and remixes in house music over the last few years, will finally be releasing his debut album later this year. The first track from it is upon us in the pop-oriented form of “Dear Life,” featuring the soulful guest vocals of dOP frontman Jaw — a previous guest on Claptone’s 2013 track “No Eyes.” The dolorous cut lays the singer’s lamentations (“Sometimes I was I wish I was blind / To see the others’ beauty”) over gentle piano chords vaguely reminiscent of the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” while an insistent boom-clap beat keeps things moving and prevents the song from ever becoming outright maudlin.
Listen to the impressive opening salvo below, and definitely look out for Claptone’s first full-length LP, coming courtesy of Different Recordings.
