Dhani Harrison launches Dragonflies with hypnotic single ‘Slower’

The intersection of musical history and spontaneous creativity has given rise to a compelling new sound: Dragonflies, the collaboration between Dhani Harrison and producer Nigel Godrich.

This dynamic duo has just unveiled their debut single, ‘Slower’, which immediately hooks listeners with its hazy, trip-hop-influenced atmosphere. The track masterfully blends tape loops, layered percussion, and Harrison’s vocals, creating a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and utterly new.

The upcoming self-titled debut album is set to arrive on September 18th via Dark Horse Records/BMG, a label established by George Harrison himself in 1974. It promises to be a rich exploration of atmosphere and soundscapes.

The creative journey behind the project began organically when Harrison connected with Godrich during the pandemic for advice on his solo work. From there, they found their studio space in Brixton, where Godrich introduced tape loops into their workflow, building songs quickly without a rigid plan.

“It’s like one person throwing something in the air and the other person catching it,” Godrich described their unique creative process.

Harrison found this dynamic incredibly humbling, noting that working with Godrich—a true machine with strong musical opinions—was a profoundly new experience.

During the creation of Dragonflies, Harrison consciously stepped back from detailed computer-based production to focus intensely on singing and guitar, allowing Godrich to shape the songs in real time. The result is a sound that channels influences ranging from the soulful sounds of Portishead and Beth Gibbons to the ethereal presence of David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto, resulting in what they describe as “earthbound space rock.”

The visual presentation of Dragonflies complements the hypnotic music, featuring a hand-drawn, psychedelic video directed by Bristol animator RUFFMERCY. This visionary artist brings a distinctive aesthetic to their sound, drawing on a background that includes collaborations with artists such as Nirvana, Earl Sweatshirt, The Chemical Brothers, Nas, and Run The Jewels.

Nigel Godrich is a figure deeply embedded in the music world, having produced studio albums for Radiohead since OK Computer, and worked extensively with Thom Yorke, The Smile, Beck, Paul McCartney, Arcade Fire, IDLES, Air, and Charlotte Gainsbourg. His production catalogue showcases an expansive talent across genres.

Beyond Dragonflies, Godrich’s creative side extends to his electronic group Ultraísta, which he co-founded with Laura Bettinson and Joey Waronker. He is also a founding member of the supergroup Atoms For Peace, contributing keyboards, synthesizers, and guitar to their debut album ‘Amok’.

Dhani Harrison’s own artistic path has been varied, moving from alternative rock in thenewno2 to solo work like ‘In///Parallel’ and ‘Innerstanding’, alongside contributions to film scoring. This latest venture with Godrich marks an exciting new chapter, blending shared history and distinct creative genius into a truly captivating sound.