Oblong

Oblong is a London electronic group associated with downtempo, chillout and electronica. It centres on West London producer Patrick Kenmore, known as Mr Oblong, and resident vocalist Adam Parker.

Background

The group works from Portobello Road in London, where Kenmore builds arrangements and records with a wide range of visiting musicians. The project develops from an organic approach to songwriting and a studio-based method that brings together electronic production, live instrumentation and vocals.

Collaborations and network

Oblong’s work is linked to a broad circle of collaborators, including Add N to X, Nathan Haines, Isaac Turner of Spektrum, Kaidi Tatham of Bugz in the Attic, and Simon Franks of Audio Bullys. Musicians who pass through the project’s studio include members of The Blockheads, Bugz In The Attic, Yam Who and bass player Ian Rive of Mosquito.

Adam Parker also appears on the Sasha track Highlife, a highlighted piece from Invol2ver, and contributes his own original version, Lowlife. He also performs with his own band, which is touring the UK.

Album and songs

Oblong’s debut album is released through Exceptional Records. It includes the singles You + Me and Playing On My Mind, along with nine previously unreleased tracks.

The album brings together songs and instrumentals built around themes of love, loss and everyday life. Leaving London reflects on the difficulty of returning home after being away. Playing On My Mind deals with the strains of love. You + Me has a late-night, club-adjacent feel and features layered vocals over kicks, piano and string parts. Bubblehead is a conversational song with a Latin-influenced percussion-led arrangement. Ship On The Horizon uses rock-influenced instrumentation and carries a warning about being dragged down by the world. Walk With Me is a light, funky ballad about an early romantic meeting.

The album also includes instrumental pieces such as Catch The Sun, Magic Twist, Forever, Who Knows? and It Just Is Cricket. The last of these is built from samples taken from a cricket match at Lord’s, with crowd noise, umpire calls, cameras and player reactions forming the basis of the track.

Style

Oblong’s sound combines acoustic elements, Rhodes and organ, electric guitar, bass, drums, strings, synths and sampled material. The group’s music moves between laid-back electronic rhythms, melodic songwriting and more experimental textures, with a strong emphasis on arrangement and mood.