The 23s – Single Review: “My Kinda Girl”

Sheffield, England-based collaborative music project The 23s have had quite a successful 2023 thus far, dropping seven terrific singles over the past seven months. Comprised of singer-songwriter and electronica musician Rob Cohen, singer-songwriter Rob Gurruchaga, and producer Tom Taylor, the enigmatic trio came together remotely during the Covid lockdowns, and decided to form a collaborative music project they named The 23s, after Taylor’s Channel 23 Studio. With their shared love of acts like David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Blaqk Audio, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen and Thomas Dolby, they clicked right from the start, and began working on song demos using analog synthesizers and synth guitars, which they shared across the internet.

Eventually, they gathered in person at Taylor’s Channel 23 Studio to pick their favorites out of the more than 100 demos they’d recorded, finally culling them down to 23 songs. They put their finishing touches and overdubs on the 23 tracks, and decided to release them one at a time, at the rate of one per month over a 23-month period, on the 23rd of each month. All 23 songs will ultimately be released in a full album at the end of the singles run.

They began their monthly parade of single releases a bit behind schedule on February 10th with “Never Be The Same” (which I reviewed), but from their second single on, they’ve remained faithfully on schedule, diligently releasing each successive single on the 23rd. I really like all their singles thus far, and also the fact that no two sound alike. Their music style varies widely with each new release, with some songs having a strong electronic sound, while others are more rock or pop-oriented. The23s have created a Spotify playlist of their songs, to which each successive new single will be added as they’re released. To hear all their songs that will be included on the forthcoming album, click on this link:

Their latest single, which dropped August 23rd, is “My Kinda Girl“, an incredibly pleasing love song with a wonderful 60s vibe. About the song, the band explains: “Originally recorded on 4 tracks, ‘My Kinda Girl’ was a very rough idea by Rob. This was then pulled apart in the studio, and lush strings with a very art school Carnaby Street London 60s vibe was pulled from the original idea and fleshed out, with the production skills and additional ideas added by band mates Tom & Rob. You can almost taste & smell the 60s floating throughout this track! We’re all very pleased with how it eventually grew into itself and became the final version.“

Everything about the song is perfect – the breezy melody, irresistible toe-tapping beat, dreamy synths, soothing keyboards and beautiful twangy guitars. But the highlight for me are Rob’s sensuous, multi-faceted vocals – which have never sounded better – as he sings his praises to a woman who’s captured his heart and mind: “You’re the kinda girl. Sticks in my world. You’re the kinda girl that sticks in my mind. There’s never been a decision made that was always right. There’s never been a right time. Don’t you know it’s true.”

I love “My Kinda Girl”, and it’s my new favorite out of all seven songs they’ve released thus far.