Superego
Slowe

“Superego” is the second single from new Tru Thoughts signing Slowe.

Sweetness abounds on this retro-tinged slow-jam from the Bristol-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist and songwriter. “Superego” provides a beautifully evocative introduction to Slowe’s well-developed but versatile sound with delicate, soul-inflected melodies and juxtaposing boom-bap drum line. The single follows her debut release “WYLTK”, which garnered support from Robert Elms (BBC Radio London), James Threlfall (BBC Introducing), Don Letts, Laurent Garnier and Bill Brewster.

Slowe explains, “a quote I found said ‘superego is the part of a person’s mind or personality, that tells them how to behave based on learned morals and values’”. The lyrics stemmed from this concept, as Slowe explored the to-and-fro of her ethics versus instincts.

The honeyed vocals lie between the soft and spacious keys, musing on the conflicts of the id, ego and superego. Forming from life experiences and interactions with others, the superego “keeps your ego in check”, Slowe adds. This balancing act can seem like it’s working against your best interests. In this conversation with herself, Slowe describes the superego as overbearing at times, like ‘the shadow on [her] shoulder’, steering her headspace for better or worse and confusing her emotional bearings.

Slowe’s DIY approach is reminiscent of lo-fi beat-making; delicately layering together session recordings, and repurposing techniques akin to those of J Dilla and Madlib. The result is both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary, with sparkling Rhodes, vintage drum lines, and buttery vocals. The combination of Slowe’s radiant lilts and introspective lyricism atop the fuzzy, analogue warmth makes for swooning escapism.