Desire paths, as described by nature author Robert McFarlane are “paths and tracks made over time by the wishes and feet of walkers, especially those paths that run contrary to design or planning. Free-will ways.” This quasi-definition makes Desire Paths, the debut EP from London-based post-punk revival duo, Human Interest, seem aptly named. Released in March, Desire Paths “is the most honest portrait of where we are right now, and hopefully a little promise of all that’s yet to come,” says Human Interest’s vocalist, Cat Harrison.
Featuring memorable and tasty bass grooves provided by Tyler Damara Kelly, “Cool Cats” is extremely easy-listening, with a chorus that sticks like glue long after listening. “Feel Good” is of the same vein, with a garage-engineered quality. Harrison channels his inner Lou Reed on the EP’s single, “Spiced Apple,” frenetically singing of love while backed by yet another sticky bass line from Kelly. On “These Parties Are Awful,” things slow down a bit, showcasing the group’s versatility and musical capability.
When I asked Harrison about the title of the EP, he shared that it “was just a thing that kinda appeared from the ether, a friend posted the Wikipedia description online. It’s when a path is forged from people taking the same shortcut over years and years.” He continued, “I don’t why but I just found it a really beautiful thing. I then realized I had been walking along a ‘desire path’ on my route to work. It just seemed fitting to me to name our EP.”