“The Strangler” by The Elusives
Sometimes you come across songs that are truly timeless, by which I mean they are extremely difficult to place in the annals of pop-rock. Instead of being “very nineties” or “very sixties”, they seem to incorporate enough influences from different eras to exist somewhat outside of time. “The Strangler” by The Elusives is one of those tracks.
What I particularly love about the song is the fact that it’s performed on real instruments by an actual group. Rather than being the brainchild of a producer or a multi-instrumentalist working alone somewhere, The Elusives are a real, living and breathing pop-rock outfit, blending guitars, synths, drums and smooth vocals into a compelling, cinematic sound. Founded by lifelong collaborators Paul Gilligan and Joe Brady, and strengthened by vocalist Laura Hand in 2025, the band has already built a strong live following around Dublin. And one doesn’t have to wonder why. The answer is rather clear.
This is sexy pop-rock where everything works. Check out that dancing bass line, something that Bill Wyman might have played on one of the more danceable Rolling Stones classics of the late seventies or early eighties. Having said that, the drums on this one are fantastic as well. How about that snare falling beautifully behind the beat, creating an irresistible groove, while the synths provide more than enough ear candy in the background to keep things interesting?
And then there are the vocals. They are simply very well done: great voices, great phrasing, and a wonderfully smooth eighties touch. They are double-tracked—or at least they sound as if they are—but never overdone. In a song like this, with its eerie atmosphere, the last thing an artist wants to do is oversing. The Elusives are not guilty of this even once. There’s just the right amount of phrasing, just the right amount of restraint… rather brilliant, if you ask me.
While the track might not appeal to listeners looking for bright, straightforward indie pop, it will be an absolute gem for those drawn to dark synth textures, alternative dance music and songs that tell a story without spelling everything out.
“The Strangler” is a stylish and atmospheric debut: simultaneously catchy, shadowy and cinematic. More, please.
Listen here: "The Strangler"
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Review by staff at MBTM
