Released in 2018, B.E.D. is a collaborative project between Baxter Dury, French producer Étienne de Crécy, and Delilah Holliday. It’s a short, sharp shock of a record that fits perfectly into Baxter’s career of playing the “seedy but charming” London raconteur. It takes his signature spoken – word delivery and drops it into a much more electronic, club – ready environment than his solo work, resulting in something that is both danceable and slightly unsettling.

The sound is minimalist and lean. Étienne de Crécy provides cold, sleek beats that feel very European and sophisticated, while Delilah Holliday’s ethereal vocals act as a perfect foil to Baxter’s gravelly, deadpan storytelling. It’s a late – night record through and through – the kind of music that sounds best in a dark basement or on a long drive through a city at night. It’s chic, cynical, and very cool, capturing a specific kind of modern malaise with a lot of style.

Tracks like “White lines” and “Tais – toi” are great examples of how the three different voices on the record work together. There’s a tension in the music that is really addictive. It’s worth revisiting because it’s such a focused, punchy listen – it doesn’t overstay its welcome and it has a very unique character. It’s a great example of what happens when different musical worlds collide and find a weird, wonderful middle ground.