Gemma Cullingford is one half of Norfolk-based dance-punk duo Sink Ya Teeth, but later this month she’ll be releasing her debut solo album Let Me Speak. With the irresistible “Wide Boys” already out and about, she follows it up today with “I Like You”.
She says the new song is “a song about unrequited love… I didn’t realise it at the time, but both the lyrics “I’ll make you love me” and the jagged, discordant guitar give it a slightly stalker-esque feel, so you shouldn’t feel too sad for the narrator on this love song!”
Indeed, that seediness is palpable straight away, as a determined and danceable bass-and-drum combo places us in a dark club with Cullingford in the corner, her eyes roving over someone she’s spotted as she thinks “I like you / I want you.” With refracting guitars adding atmosphere, we envision her slithering towards the object of her affection, wondering “why don’t you love me? / I’d run a thousand miles to see your smile, but you’d never do that for me.” An insistent rhythm takes hold, while the guitar continues to curdle and flecks of piano drop in, combining to make a skeletal house track. As this groove grabs your attention, it seems like Cullingford is slipping further into an alcohol-and-lust-induced dance, just trying to catch someone’s eye. While she may not be successful in her endeavour, there’s no denying that “I Like You” is a straight shot at your hips, a dance number for late nights full of questionable decisions.
Watch the video for “I Like You” below, or listen on streaming platforms.
Gemma Cullingford’s Let Me Speak comes out on July 30 through Outré Disque. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
