It takes a ballsy kinda move to cover En Vogue. Little Mix did it, Sugababes did it and well, Professor Green tried to do a version too (less said about the last one the better). That sort-of move perfectly sums up Strong Asian Mothers though, the London trio whose blending of styles and melodies makes them one of the most refreshing sounds of the year.
In the video for ‘Don’t Let Go’, debuted and premiered right here on Dork, Strong Asian Mothers introduce the world to Glum-face – a noun coined by the band themselves and described as:
The practice of looking dejected or morose regardless of the situation at hand, often performed in a place of attractive or humorous merit for photographic purposes by the band Strong Asian Mothers.
Take that Dictionary! In the clip, the trio (made up of childhood friends Amer Chadha Patel, Josh Stadlen and Kalim Patel – AKA Khushi) are having all the fun in the world at their own birthday party, sitting deep in Glum-face mode which quickly spreads through all gathered.
The story of Glum-face is an enlightening one, started two years ago by Khushi with a family Christmas photo album devoid of any emotion. It’s become an essential part of the band’s world, and now it’s time to share it with the planet.
“Don’t Let Go is potentially the greatest sexy R’n’B song about commitment ever and so for three random men from London to cover it was pretty bold” explain the band. “We figured that the song with these visuals would make it clear we don’t take ourselves seriously enough to think we could ever compete with the women of En Vogue, and that we will find the image of sixteen pissed-off people holding sparklers combined with that last chorus funny forever…even if no-one else does.”
It’s an unmistakable groover, with an equally as mesmeric video now to go with it. Strong Asian Mothers are set to round out the year with a hometown show in London on November 30th at the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen.
Get your Smug-face on, with ‘Don’t Let Go’ below,