In this ‘Listed’ feature, we get to know the most radicalist up-and-coming stars through a themed list of their top musical picks.  

This time it’s soulful South London trio, All The People.

Comprised of multi-instrumentalist brothers Ashley and Simon Arnold (along with vocalist Curtis Dennie), All The People caught our attention back in 2015 with their swirling, inebriated single ‘Don’t Think’ as well as its kinetic, house-infused successor ‘Falling’. Both firmly established the potential of this intelligent, understated and highly relatable 3-piece, leaving us keenly surveying the horizon for a full-length album.

Earlier this year we were finally treated to said album, and it surpassed even our expectations. R-Together is a glowing and richly dense sonic tapestry boasting such cuts as the languorous, wandering daydream ‘Beach Club’, the sensuous yet decidedly murky ‘The Hills (Promises)’ and their most recent heady concoction ‘Repeaters’ (featuring the truly inimitable vocals of Nadia Nair).

Speaking of R-Together, the band have stated that it’s a “deeply personal record dealing with loss in particular, grief, struggling with the emotional fallout, reflecting on the past, our childhoods, whilst trying to avoid nostalgia. Also, the sentiment of R-Together feels more relevant than ever given recent events. We’re all living in a time of real uncertainty & division and though the songs are not overtly political, pulling together against a tide of hatred reflects how we’re feeling right now”.

Off the back of such a compelling debut LP, we thought it’d be interesting to get to know the band a little better though a themed playlist of their own choosing. Here’s multi-instrumentalist Simon Arnold’s personal mixtape of ‘Current Inspirations’.

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1. Moses Boyd – ‘After Tomorrow’

We first heard Moses playing at Turnstyle Records in Streatham about 2 years ago with his bandmate, saxophonist Binker Golding. Moses is incorporating a more electronic production approach on his new EP and it sounds great, reminds me of Floating Points.



2. EABS – ‘Repetitions’

I met the label owner Lukasz, who has been talking about this record for some time. Flying the flag for Polish Jazz, this is a beautiful record influenced by the new wave of young Jazz musicians and old school Hip-Hop.



3. Penguin Cafe - ‘Now Nothing’

New on Erased Tapes, keeping in line with the likes of Nils Frahm, this is a spacious ambient piano piece staying true to the wonderful Erased Tapes sound.



4. Nine Inch Nails – ‘This Isn’t the Place’

Just amazing, expect nothing less from Trent Reznor. Not sure what the machine is in the video but it's very intriguing. NIN have been a constant influence on us since we were kids.



5. Daphni – ‘Tin’

This new Daphni track is the closest sounding to Caribou I’ve heard in a while. A great slab of dance with a wicked vocal sample.



6. Here Lies Man – ‘You Aint Goin’ Nowhere’

Afrobeat meets Black Sabbath. What more can I say….



7. MeatRaffle – ‘Brother’

Fellow South Londoners, we’re friends with singer Warren and have seen him perform as Zsa Zsa Sapien. Love this new track and love the Rush reference.



8. Four Tet – ‘Planet’

Four Tet has always been a big influence for us. This new single doesn’t disappoint!



9. This Is The Kit – ‘Moonshine’

Just discovered this band. This tune’s so infectious, can’t stop listening to it.



10. Tiny Leaves – ‘Thoughts of You’

Our friends at Pegdoll have just signed this guy. His new album is coming out very soon and he’s one to watch!



R-Together is out now via 100 Billion Wires and catch All The People live on the following dates:

Saturday 28th August - The Finsbury (London)

Saturday 9th September - Deep South Festival (Tunbridge Wells)

-Karl Jawara