Midlands-based producer and singer FTSE has mostly kept his face behind the scenes of his music until now, preferring to shine the spotlight on his sparsely etched tattoos, thick-framed glasses and unassuming shrug of a voice. Time and time again he positions his mumbling melodies in such a way that you barely even notice them – they're usually contrasted with those of stronger singers, in this case the effortless soul-grit of Atlanta R&B hope ForteBowie – but even despite these red herrings, it's his earnest and pointed delivery that shuffles to the front and steals your heart.
As if to nail that point home, FTSE spends the video for his latest single St Tropez following around an older, rougher version of himself, living a penned-in working class life, but amongst all the kitchen sink imagery it's his poignant stares and escapist lyrics that speak the loudest.
Lucky Number Records will release the 'FTSE2' EP on the 30th September.
