Rhumba Club and Patrick Wolf collaborate for this year’s queer club anthem

Tom Falle, the artist known as Rhumba Club, has been creating scintillating and sensual synth-pop for the last few years. Mixing Pet Shop Boys beats, Röyksopp synths, and some Marc Almond bite, Rhumba Club’s forthcoming album ‘Honcho’ is taking a darker approach to synth-disco music. The album continues Rhumba Club’s exploration of retro gay culture. Tom asks the listener, “What have we lost in an image and swipe-right culture?”.

Having recently discovered Rhumba Club, I’ve been immediately drawn to the delicate balance of liberated sexuality and moodier nods to the pieces of humanity lost in the process. Catchy and emotionally charged, this will be the album to cry on the dancefloor to. Originally born in Jersey, Rhumba Club moved to London and launched their synthwave assault in 2019. Tom’s music is all about letting your true self run riot, and I can feel that freedom pulsating in every song.

‘Animal/Lover’ is the latest single from Rhumba Club and will close the forthcoming album. It features Patrick Wolf, marking his first collaboration in his career. The collaboration came from Patrick Wolf discovering Rhumba Club’s album ‘Love Apokalypto’ last year. Patrick sent Tom a message thanking him for the music as it had become his running soundtrack, and the collaboration brewed from there. The duo co-wrote ‘Animal/Lover’ and share vocal duties as well. It’s tape-worn synths, smooth vocal harmonies, and heavy arpeggiators remind me a little of Fever Ray in its bold beauty, with a tinge of seedy backstreet Soft Cell for good company. This is the late summer anthem we need for when the lights are low and you can taste your lover’s lips milliseconds before you touch them. Whilst the electronic approach has more immediate pop sensibilities than Fever Ray, for example, we freaks are more than catered for if you look beneath the smooth surface. Deliciously danceable.

‘Animal/Lover’ is out now, and features a suitably smouldering music video. For more information about Rhumba Club’s website (complete with VHS-fuzz) and sign up for the mailing list or follow Rhumba Club on Bandcamp.

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.