Mondo Love & Betrayal

EARLY SUPPORT FROM
Bill Brewster / Macca [NTS Radio] / Phil Mison / Richard Dorfmeister [Kruder & Dorfmeister / Severino [Horse Meat Disco] / Neil Diablo / Andy Wilson [Ibiza Sonica] / Richard Sen [Do You Radio] / Steve KIW / Coyote

Throughout 2026, you’re going to be hearing a lot about Mondo Love & Betrayal, the Nottingham-born collaboration between Neil ‘Nail’ Tolliday, a respected figure on the UK electronic underground best known for his work as one half of downtempo twosome Bent, and singer-songwriter Henry Claude Scott – a rising star renowned for his roles in Balearic-minded partnerships Torn Sail and Brown Fang.

Later this year, the pair will unleash their eponymous debut album, a vibrant, colourful and deeply emotive sprint through 1980s synth-pop inspired pastures chock full of heartfelt references to pioneering artists and producers of the period, from Pet Shop Boys, Arthur Baker and Depeche Mode to New Order, Martin Hannett and Shep Pettibone.

First, though, is superb debut single ‘Correspondence’, a song that takes us right back to the formative stages of Tolliday and Scott’s creative collaboration. A fan of Scott’s virtuoso musicianship and Balearic-leaning output, Tolliday initially reached out to secure his skills as a guitarist. That house track completed, the pair then started work on something much more ambitious: a series of synth-pop songs blessed with thoughtful, emotional lyrics and topped off with Scott’s gorgeous vocals.

The first song completed for the album, ‘Correspondence’ is an impressive and ear catching debut rich in delicate details, dreamy sonics and sunset-ready musical colours. It showcases the first immediate cut-and-thrust of a creative collaboration that knows no bounds, with Scott’s self-consciously “corny and on-the-nose” lyrics – written about 21st century communication, rapid changes in technology and the death of landline phones – wrap around warming bass, rolling drum machine beats, picturesque pads, exotic melodic motifs and lilting, sun-soaked lead lines. Packed with tactility, warmth and bittersweet bliss, it’s a stunning first musical communication from Mondo, Love & Betrayal.