South London indie outfit The Elegant Chasers dropped a dazzling debut album, Sentimental Dust, on Friday following a series of single releases in recent months.
The latest, and fourth, single from the album, is “Car Salesman Smile” is a menacing alt rock-driven track with a mean riff running like a vein of discontent throughout. A cool new music video is also produced by Loizou.
After switching careers during the pandemic, the multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter behind the moniker is South London native Maz Loizou, set out on a road trip writing songs “around a derelict London [character]”.
Loizou, a former – and disgrunted – television producer, set out to assemble his own customize recording studio at home.
His musical style incorporates sounds from the 1990s grunge, alt rock and Brit-Pop movements as well as 1980s new wave influences.
“The music for ‘Car Salesman Smile’ was largely written during the Sentimental Dust album sessions,” Loizou says.
“The riff, bridge and chorus were conjured within a matter of minutes. I was looking for a 1970’s rock vibe along with influences from 1990’s bands like Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Faith No More and Terrorvision.”
Terrorvision’s “hit ‘Alice, What’s The Matter?’ inspired some of my rhythm guitar work. But for the vocals it was a line from a Therapy? track that stuck with me. The phrase ‘Car Salesman Smile’ was featured in their song ‘Hellbelly’…I penned down most of the lyrics for CSS a few years back, which was unusual for me in terms of songwriting approach,” Loizou explains
He adds that the song is essentially about a woman “being unfairly treated and how relationships can play out. Sadly, I have female friends who have these stories to tell. I felt compelled to write a song about it from someone on the outside looking in.”
Loizou explores how women are “taken advantage of by men (who appear to be genuine and charming).”
“My message [is]…don’t give up hope…you don’t deserve to be thrown on the scrapheap.
Loizou wrote, performed, recorded, mixed and mastered Sentimental Dust totally DIY.
He is currently on a tour throughout south England to support the album.
His musical influences Foo Fighters, Faith No More, REM, Urge Overkill, Depeche Mode, Oasis, Pearl Jam and Stone Roses.