London’s own indie-electronic duo, pecq, are back with a bang, dropping their latest single “Stronger” - a vibrant and rebellious anthem blending indie dance and alt-pop influences.
The track packs a punch with its bouncy rhythms, drawing on inspiration from Jamie xx, Kaytranada, and Charli XCX, and serves as a tale of resilience and self-empowerment, cleverly disguised as a break-up song. Underneath its thunderous beats lies a more personal narrative, as vocalist Jakes explains,
“‘Stronger’ is about independence, but it started as a mantra to my own body. I live with immune conditions, and when I’m feeling super sick, I hype myself up to fight it. The lyrics say the opposite of how I feel, but repeating ‘I’m stronger than this’ eventually helps me believe it.”
But that’s just the beginning for pecq. Alongside the single, the duo have announced an extended version of their critically acclaimed ‘Red Moon, Rare Night’ EP, which will feature remixes from PVA, LVRA, Wyldest, and BAILE, plus new reinterpretations from pecq themselves. Set for release on November 14th via Upcycled Sounds, this extended project promises to push their already innovative sound even further.
pecq’s sound is a dizzying blend of influences, from the glitchy, experimental work of Boards of Canada to the meditative vibes of Sampha and Ultraísta. The ‘Red Moon, Rare Night’ EP navigates a wide range of themes, from isolation and medical trauma to queer identity and long-distance relationships. Written and produced across multiple time zones, the EP explores the line between electronic and indie music, incorporating real drums, glitchy samples, and classic synth tones that twist and morph throughout each track. The duo, made up of Jakes and Nikò, found themselves working remotely while touring with other acts, passing sessions back and forth in hotel rooms and vans, all while capturing a distinct after-hours vibe in their music.
Their latest single “Stronger” is a reflection of this creative process, capturing a sense of night-time energy and isolation. The extended version of ‘Red Moon, Rare Night’ adds even more depth to their sonic universe, with remixes offering fresh takes on tracks like “Closer” - a cavernous, glitchy indie-electronica tune - and “In The Dark” and “Out Loud”, two standout moments of skittering electro-pop bliss.
Fresh off a summer packed with performances at Glastonbury, Truck Festival, and Liverpool Sound City, pecq are continuing to make waves in the indie-electronic scene. Their ability to blur the lines between electronic and indie has made them one of the most exciting new acts to watch.
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