We first caught the voice of UK singer Laura Bettinson on last year’s record from Ultraísta, a trio led by headline-gobbling Radiohead producer Nigel Goodrich. Now, the tireless artist is taking center stage with FEMME, staking a claim to the crowded UK pop field with something of a modern throwback vibe. “Fever Boy,” which debuted last week, comes off — to us, at least — as something the Pipettes woulda churned out had they filtered their retro cool through fast-forward synthesizers.
The video for the infectious track was directed by Bettison herself, and she doesn’t stop there. She also produced all the artwork, and it goes without saying the blossoming Londonite also wrote and recorded all the songs herself. As disposable pop continues to get caught in the web of elder male executives, it’s cool to see a young future star controlling her own destiny.
And if “Fever Boy” is any indication, coupled with romo-stomp double a-side “Heartbeat” — that destiny is confronting the here and now. Both tracks are set for release in the U.S on November 18. (Word is there’ll be some heart-shaped vinyl available as well.)
Use the video up top as a proper introduction, and check some of the backstory below. It’s a “Fever” you’d likely tell.another.
