HOTEL DEL SALTO

Today’s tip sounds as exotic as tunes come on The Tipping Point but in actual fact it comes from the Welsh town of Carmarthen…. the dreamy pop musings of songwriter J Francis’ new moniker, Hotel Del Salto.

Decidedly Records who are releasing the track describe influences from Brian Wilson and Prince and there’s certainly that type of experimentation on show here; however perhaps the closest comparison is Beck due to the riff driven approach, oddly satisfying lyrics and unique swagger.

The track is called Bigger Than Elvis and sits atop a hip-hop drumbeat and funky guitar riff but harks to King Krule’s softer style.

Where the song succeeds is in its oddness.

Despite being from Wales, it has a dreamy infectiousness with lines like “forever drive, Peruvian retreat” encouraging us to take a second listen.

Words by Scott Hastie

Tipped by Ray Thomas