In recent times, there’s been a real affection for woozy, swirling ‘60s and ‘70s influenced alternative pop, with acts like Soft Hair and Parcels becoming real favourites. Another artist partaking in this left-field genre is Rutger van Woudenberg, aka The Nicholas, whose latest single ‘Reason’ is a prime example of this dream-pop dimension. The introduction is long and lustful - a repeated guitar melody lingers on in reverberated, layered bliss preparing for RVW’s softly sung, partly mumbled words, “Staring at your eyes full of tears tonight, why am I hypnotised?” Staying within these lines, ‘Reason’ is a cyclical exploration of emotion, glittered with relaxed drums and warbling strings. For any who heard The Nicholas’ last release back in 2016, which was a smashing acoustic-laced dance track called ‘Pocket’, you’ll be surprised by this new retro output. Pleasantly surprised, we’d wager. - HT