Tender Glue – Simple Boys (2022)
I’m a simple guy. Pretty melodies and good rhythm are all I need to enjoy a song. Tom Gluewicki, the artist behind the moniker Tender Glue, is a simple man. His 2015 debut album was all raw recordings using the resources he had at home. He released the album through his own label, called Don’t Label Me Records and ‘Simple Boys’ is Tender Glue’s new single. Gluewicki explains the title: “This one is kind of a funny take on the immaturity of some men – not in a derogatory way. At the end of the day, all we ever need is love, even ‘Simple Boys’.” But don’t be fooled: Tender Glue’s lo-fi music is not simple.
It’s a late-night drive with cool air after a hot summer day. It’s an aquamarine pool laughing with your friends in the warm sun and chlorine-soaked air. It’s a small party, where drinks and joy flow equally freely. ‘Simple Boys’ may be about the immaturity inherent in some men, but Tender Glue’s laid-back single evokes the atmosphere of shared simple joys.
A bouncing bassline opens and lays the foundation for a good time. Soon the drums join in on the backbeat, which is where they stay until they drop out (minus a distant cymbal to keep the song from collapsing) for the sleepy close. A Cocteau Twins-esque guitar introduces itself with a lovely riff. Gluewicki’s lyrics are difficult to make out sometimes, but that lends itself to the nonchalant vibes and only serves to extend the Cocteau Twins comparison. Drums drop out for the final portion, the afterparty, and a thick-toned bass and singing guitar keep the remaining partiers company as they say goodbye.
‘Simple Boys’ is a well-crafted song. It was a delight to hear on the first listen and continues to be as I play it again and again. Toss it on at a party, in the car, or over the pool PA system. The end of the summer is quickly approaching, but don’t let it slip away without treating yourself to an ice cream cone and a spin of Tender Glue’s ‘Simple Boys’.
For more from Tender Glue, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
