While described as R&B/Funk/Hip Hop, the sound of Melbourne trio The CB3 is eclectic and difficult to pin down, but their new single ‘Teacups & Candy’ is a pure ray of sunshine. The challenge for instrumental groups as always is being able to convey thoughts and feelings without words, and in ‘Teacups & Candy’, The CB3 does just that. There is a delicious loucheness in the track that evokes feelings of sunlit langor, the torpor you feel after a long lunch by the seaside infected by a certain heady euphoria.
The pace is brisk despite the sense of ease it creates, the bubbling bass setting a melodic pace and the guitars dappled and breezy. The introduction of a hyperactive violin (courtesy of XANI the nom de plume of Xani Kolac acclaimed violinist and Music Victoria Award nominee) after a brief dreamy interlude adds an air of exotica and an irrepressible buoyant lilt, creating a transfixing and an untrammeled sense of joy. And indeed, a dollop of magic.
Guitarist and frontman leader of the band, Cristian Barbieri, says:
This song was heavily inspired by Willy Wonker’s chocolate factory. Lickable wallpaper, chocolate rivers and fizzy lifting drinks: It’s wild! So naturally it called for an equally wild violin solo by Xani.
This is an exotic sonic world created by the trio, filled with a sense of open-eyed wonder and joy:
‘Teacups & Candy’ is out tomorrow and can be pre-saved here. It comes off The CB3’s forthcoming EP entitled ‘Bunny Hop’ due out on 25 February 2022. What can we expect? The band says:
The three of us have played together so much over the years, with different bands and artists, and all types of gigs. I hear that all come to fruition on this EP. I feel like we found our feet. Choi, our producer, nailed the engineering/production side too. Every instrument sounds exactly as we wanted. That doesn’t always happen.
The CB3 may defy labelling, but they have concocted something very tempting, refreshing and tasty.
‘Teacups & Candy’ and ‘Bunny Hop’ EP Credits:
Guitar: Cristian Barbieri
Bass: Caleb Shand
Drums: Chris Farace
Violin: Xani Kolac
No Comment