Second album from Aberdeen and it's a case of “less is more” as we get just 9 tracks – or 8 if you include the intro – but it's top quality from start to finish. The first song “Anti Work Song” has a feel of classic “Talking Heads-meets-Coldplay-on-uppers” to it, only lighter and with that stunningly distinctive upper register vocal from the lead singer that both strong yet wistful at the same time, as this warm sounding vocal just soars above the funk of the rhythm section and the chiming riffing of the guitars, the verses flowing into the multi-tracked vocal hook with authority but full of feeling. From here, things power up with crashing drums, a flare of guitar riffing and dramatic bass, before it all drops back to allow that light and airy vocal to shine through as the track now beefs up, lurches away and the verses continue over the solid rhythmic foundations, guitar riffs and the throb of an electronic rhythmic undercurrent. The song itself just stretches out through exquisite verses into soaring choruses and wordless hooks, the whole thing expansive, full-sounding and led by the warmth of the vocals.
At this point a word about the songs' content – the lyrics are extremely well written and deceptively immediate, but take a listen throughout and you'll hear some seriously great songwriting throughout.
“Making Big Decisions” is another gem of a song as its subject matter is provided over a more accelerated rhythm and real depth of guitars that chime and riff all around. That soft focus yet upfront vocal really wafts itself into your head as the track bounces along with a stomp that's infectious while at the same time being a song that hits the spot, and you simply can't fail to have that voice imprinted in your consciousness by now. The lyrics once again are quite excellent, the sort of thing that means something but you wonder why you never thought of it. “Loosen Up” starts with the rattle of percussion, a brief electronic undercurrent from the organ-like keys and that wafting vocal leading the way. Then, with a burst of guitars, the song springs into life as the vocal rises up through the sea of verses into the wave of the choruses, the song climbing ever higher as it goes, backed by solid rolling rhythms and surrounded by the guitar and keyboard expanse. “The First Place” is a quite superbly crafted ballad with high, wistful vocals leading the way over lilting piano and it's all warm and fuzzy before that vocal begins to stretch out and soar as what sounds like brass enters quietly underneath, more texturally than anything, only then for the rhythm section to come bouncing in as keyboard stabs, guitar chords hang in the ether and the song strides purposefully onwards, telling its tale with ease, magic and managing to mix brass with rock in an almost endearing sense, as the band craft a most glorious, gorgeous, solid yet soft-hearted dynamic and texturally varied gem of a track with a fine extended outro to boot. “Call Of Youth” is a travelogue through the relics of personal past and music history in terms of its subject matter, as one of the finest songs on an album choc full of the things delivers an uptempo romp – there's a dance word for it – waltz, or tango or something (I don't do dance!) - and the band sizzle as the guitars cascade and drive, the keys provide a backdrop and the rhythm guitar chimes out over the crunch of the rhythm section while the singer continues to sail through the skies with the greatest of ease. The instrumental break decelerates to reveal a main melody of piano and guitars before the crash of cymbals and the driving rhythms and undercurrents usher in a wordless chorus that rises up only, as the instruments fade, to be left hanging in the air.
“Do Something New” is another variation on the band's songwriting and arranging style, but, with its dramatic rhythms, its oceans of melodies from the keys and guitars plus that impassioned vocal to the fore, there's nothing about this you can dislike, so genuine is the playing, so emotional is the singing as the band put their all into it and produce something that's substantial and light at the same time. Finally, the album ends to the opening strains of organ chords sounding more like an old Pink Floyd intro before that richly textured plaintive vocal soars in on top. Then in comes a bongo rhythm as crashing cymbals and chiming guitar add to the rising vocal verses and the high-flying chorus before the guitar changes texture and this aggressive roar of riffing flies out over the accelerated crunch of the rhythm section, the ever present flow of the organ and the whole thing juxtaposes to perfection with the vocal brilliance as the whole thing drives to a sudden stop.
This is an album that is just stunning in very department, deceptively simple but remarkably repeat playable and a set of songs from which you simply won't tire of hearing and enjoying.