George Ezra – “Coat Of Armour” (Stereogum Premiere)
UK pop balladeer George Ezra cracked the top five of the BBC’s Sound Of 2014 list (which also included Sam Smith, Kelela, Chance The Rapper, Sampha, Chlöe Howl, Jungle, BANKS, and FKA twigs among others) largely on the strength of “Budapest,” a standout from his Did You Hear The Rain? EP that sounded like a baritone British take on Vampire Weekend. (Fitting since his last name is Ezra and all.) A second EP called Cassy O’ is coming soon, and today we’ve got its stunning final track. “Coat Of Armour” is a cinematic smolder that reminds me of the Swell Season’s Once soundtrack if the National had performed it instead. Listen below — by candlelight, ideally.
Cassy O’ is out digitally 3/16 via Columbia with a double 7-inch version in stores on Record Store Day. Tracklist:
1. Cassy O’
2. Get Lonely With Me
3. Over The Creek
4. Coat of Armour