Baby Dave, the solo project of Soft Play vocalist and drummer Isaac Holman, has teamed up with rising producer and songwriter The Works for ‘Wings’, a hypnotic new single that brings together alternative electronica, rave culture, disco, chillout and spoken word. The track is the first in a series of forthcoming releases from the duo, introducing a collaboration that feels both instinctive and deliberately left-field.
Built around hypnotic vocal fragments, clipped guitars, spacious synths, resampled voices and a driving dance beat, ‘Wings’ moves with a restless energy. Holman’s spoken-word delivery gives the track its human centre, while the melodic chorus opens things out into something more euphoric and immediately accessible.
There is a distinctly nocturnal quality to the track, with ‘Wings’ occupying the space between experimental electronica and pure dancefloor momentum. Its shifting textures reward close listening, while the central groove gives it the physicality to work just as effectively in a packed room. The result is ethereal without becoming weightless, playful without losing its edge.
The track’s lyrical inspiration came from an unlikely encounter, although Holman says its meaning evolved considerably during the writing process. “The words were inspired by a moth I saw in the gym. But as the song developed, they turned into something else. The song ended up being about humans, raves, life, change and bugs amongst other things. It’s open to interpretation.”
‘Wings’ follows the success of Baby Dave’s previous work, including his Damon Albarn-produced debut album Monkey Brain, and continues a creative relationship between Holman and The Works that stretches across multiple projects. The pair have previously worked together on Soft Play material as well as Baby Dave’s ‘Telephobia’, featuring Kate Nash and produced and co-written by Erik Miles.
For Holman, Baby Dave provides a space to explore a more experimental and electronic side of his musical identity. Best known as one half of Soft Play, he has helped establish the band as one of the UK’s most distinctive alternative acts. The duo have released three UK Top 10 albums, earned a Mercury Prize nomination for their debut Are You Satisfied?, and saw their most recent album Heavy Jelly reach No. 3 in the UK Album Charts.
The Works is the project of 23-year-old Tunbridge Wells producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Erik Miles. His credits include work with Kate Nash, Soft Play, Baby Dave, Lady Bird, Mark Rae and HotWax. Miles has also released music as part of electronic project Mucky Pup, which received support from BBC Radio 6 Music alongside coverage across the music press.
On ‘Wings’, the two artists bring their respective worlds together without sanding down their rougher edges. Holman’s unmistakable vocal presence sits against Miles’ detailed electronic production, creating a track that is immediate and atmospheric while retaining a distinctly alternative character.
‘Wings’ by Baby Dave & The Works is out now across all major DSPs.
Baby Dave will also take the track on the road this month, with UK dates scheduled across London, Birmingham, Southampton, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol and Brighton.
11th October – Oslo, London
12th October – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
14th October – The Joiners, Southampton
15th October – Academy 3, Manchester
16th October – King Tut’s, Glasgow
18th October – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
19th October – Rough Trade, Bristol
20th October – Works, Brighton
Watch below:
