Watch: Sir Was – Deployed (ft. Little Dragon) plus tour

What’s Joey Janela doing creating music instead of wrestling?

Though they look quite similar (it’s the shades they both wear on this occasion), you are actually watching Joel Wästberg’s latest effort. sir Was (the “s” is in lower case deliberately) has released the video for “Deployed”, the lead single from his forthcoming album Holding On To A Dream.

The synth-heavy, laconic track is an outrageously infectious take on neo-soul as it brings together the classic instrumentation found from southern gospel music and fuses it with a fuzzy, carefully muted breakbeat drum throughout.

At its crescendo of 808’s and warbly synths with piano samples, Little Dragon (Yukimi Nagano) enters the fray to settle listeners back into the song’s initial set groove. Her contribution just smooths the entire song into it’s summery, earnest, electronic majesty.

Yeah, a few people may say it’s incredibly palatable, but sometimes the most obvious direction is sometimes the most satisfying. This is one of those moments.

The video, shot by Damien Priest, compliments the song superbly. The only flashy pomp in the video would be the sunglasses the actors wear, amidst actuality footage with coloured filters over the top and dancing in a dimly lit warehouse. You don’t want an over the top video – the key to “Deployed” is its tranquil overtones.

sir Was is playing Nile Rodger’s Meltdown Festival on August 5th, then returning to the UK in November. See you all at Headrow House on November 20th. The track has captured my interest that much.

19 November – Sheffield, Picture House Social
20 November – Leeds, Headrow House
21 November – Manchester, YES
22 November – Glasgow, Broadcast
23 November – Newcastle, Cluny2
24 November – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
25 November – Bristol, Hy Brasil
27 November – London, Scala

Pre-order Holding On To A Dream – released September 20th through Memphis Industries.