Lali Puna have had a great couple of years. Since the release of the critically lauded Scary World Theory album, they went on to be involved with seemingly every German indie-electronica release that came after, the high point being an amazing collaboration with Static on his track “Turn On, Switch Off”. This is the first release from the trio since their album, and shows that some real thought has gone into re-considering and maturing their much loved sound.
The single kicks off with title track “Left Handed” and after only one minute we are catapulted into one of the most beautiful pop choruses of the year. Electronic blips and splutters meld seamlessly with shoegazer guitar distortion and Valerie Trebeljahr’s beautiful tones blanket the song in a comforting warmth that has always given Lali Puna the edge over other acts in this genre. This is perfect pop; three and a half minutes, a simple but effective structure, and that wonderful feeling once the track has finished that you just have to play it again, and again. It is a ray of fuzzy sunshine on a cloudy day, streaming through frosted glass windows and filling the room with a hazy nostalgic glow.
Before you know it the track has finished and stumbles without a break into Markus Archer’s dub rework. This is not an entirely successful venture, but it has an endearing relaxed improvisational quality to it that is hard not to smile at. It is without a doubt the most horizontal of the tracks on the record and works as an interesting companion to and continuation of the beauty that is “Left Handed”.
This short but utterly essential single finishes with an interesting cover version of “Together in Electric Dreams”. The inspired mixture of Georgio Moroder’s sultry and memorable synth line with that simple and naïve Lali Puna production is an unexpected success, and it expertly polishes off a record which doesn’t have to try any harder to win the hearts of the listeners. So an effortless success from our friends in Mannheim as the only option left when the record comes to a close is reach once more for the play button, and let yourself fall in love again.
