Bent

Bent, an English electronica duo from Nottingham, comprised Neil “Nail” Tolliday and Simon Mills; the group emerged in the late 1990s and released their debut album Programmed to Love in 2000, featuring tracks such as "Private Road" and "Invisible Pedestrian", which were later used in commercial advertising. Their early work was characterised by playful sampling of personal collections, with notable references to artists such as Nana Mouskouri and Anne Murray. In 2001, they released the EP Downloaded for Love, followed by The Everlasting Blink in 2003, which included the track "Thick Ear". The 2003 single "Magic Love" sampled Toni Tennille, and the 2004 album Ariels marked a shift toward live‑based recording and original material, featuring the single "Silent Life", later used in a Coca‑Cola commercial. In 2006, Intercept! returned to the earlier sampling style with a disco influence, while the track "Stay Out All Night" showcased their prankster reputation. A 2009 compilation Best of Bent introduced previously unreleased tracks, and a 2013 double CD From the Vaults: 1998–2006 compiled 34 additional songs. Subsequent releases include Up in the Air (2020). Throughout their career, Bent maintained a presence in the electronic music scene, collaborating with Capital Cities and releasing solo projects under the name Napoleon.