Fyfe announces new EP Stronger and debuts "direct" lead track

The song is the title track from an upcoming EP, which features guest contributions from The Iskra String Quartet and Peter Gregson (who've played for The xx, Sufjan Stevens, and more), and sees Fyfe look back at his classical roots while embracing working with other people.

"Stronger" is a slick, sunny track that forces you to move, grooving along thanks to funk-laced licks and tripping beats. It's got grand, sweeping melodies and vibrant vocals - Fyfe calls it "direct", and it's certainly that.

We had a chat with Fyfe about the new song, the new EP, and beyond - listen to "Stronger" below and read the catch up after.

What have you been doing since the release of Control?

I took a little time out, worked on producing writing for some other artists and since then have been writing for my next record which includes the tracks on this EP.

Looking back after a year, how do you feel about how everything went?

It’s always nerve wracking releasing new music but I couldn’t be happier with the response to Control. We played London and Paris shows in the autumn to round off the album campaign, and it was a great feeling to see and hear people singing my lyrics back to me. I love the fact that those songs will mean different things to each individual who listens, and that they have a life even beyond my own intention or understanding.

What did you learn from the process?

The lesson I’m continually relearning is that it’s all about songs. Sometimes I get caught up for days in the minutiae of production but then sit down at the piano and remember the simplicity of my favourite songs when they are stripped right back.

Was there anything you changed going into this new EP?

The whole concept behind the Control album was to describe the process of learning how to not hold on so tightly to every aspect of both my life and my music. When I started writing after Control came out, I was intentionally very open to any opportunities to collaborate and explore.

Could you tell us a bit about "Stronger" the song?

It started with the main guitar riff which I wrote sitting on the sofa. A lot of it was recorded really quickly as the ideas came out, then I went back and recorded drums and vocals. A lot of my writing process ends up on the final recordings as writing, producing, and mixing all tend to overlap when creating Fyfe songs. I was quite frustrated at the time with myself - in a way this song is me telling myself to be a little less self obsessed.

What does the rest of the EP sound like?

"Stronger" is definitely the most direct track, but I’m really excited to release the others. There’s one in which I’ve sampled Iskra String Quartet who I’m a massive fan of. I’m really proud of this EP, I think it’s a step forward both in terms of writing and production.

What's your relationship with classical music?

I grew up learning the violin, piano, and trumpet and I’m really grateful for the exposure to that world. Now I’m just a consumer of classical music rather than a creator/player. I do enjoy fusing classical elements with modern production, and that’s something that is present on this EP and also the next album.

Who is your favourite composer?

My favourite piece of classical music is Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor. Growing up learning the violin there was a constant tension between inspiration, frustration, and jealousy when listening to such amazing soloists on record but these days I can simply enjoy listening.

Overall my favourite classical composer is probably Debussy. I enjoy it when music stirs me emotively, and his certainly does that.

What can classical music do that rock/pop etc. can't? What are its limitations?

Partly because of the formats each are created in and listened to, classical music has the opportunity to tell broad narratives which are nearly impossible to condense into a three-minute pop song. However, modern music has its own ability to convey sometimes quite complicated emotions and concepts in a powerful, accessible, and memorable way. I really enjoy consuming music from both worlds.

We hear you're working on the second LP - how's that coming along?

The second record is going really well. I feel in the last few weeks I’ve started to understand it more as a whole body of work which will help when tying it all together and writing the last few songs.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Finishing the record and then taking a holiday.

Stream "Stronger" below. Fyfe plays a launch show for the Stronger EP on 5 July at London's Waiting Room.