Little Brother Eli - Stop Pretending

A very distinct lead vocal, with a slightly cynical tone, coupled with a very present falsetto for the chorus give this song a theatrical edge without crossing any boundaries of taste. The melody is front-and-center with a nod towards Adam Levine, but the modulation and the nuanced arrangement break free from a simple funk-pop moniker.

Beyond the stylistic touchstones, lyrically-speaking the path here goes straight through relationship central, with a narrative of the one that got away. The energy is direct and heartfelt, and the hook stays with you; this kind of Daft Punk falsetto-all-the-time can sometimes feel pushed, but here it simmers and fits the groove well. The girl may have moved on, but the song is going to stay with you.

Little Brother Eli are an energetic 4-piece band from Oxford – combining rock, disco and electro sounds with hip-hop rhythms. This song is featured on our Roots Collection playlist.