18 months after their astounding debut LP The Greats and the Happenings,Post War Years have had a radical change in location, opened shows for Mumford and Sons (which yes, is a thing to be very proud of) and toured the album relentlessly. After all that, the band have come up trumps with a sharp, clever and intelligent follow up LP – Galapagos.
The four-piece packed up and left the aristocratic and semi-rural town of Leamington Spa, for a dingy/squatty warehouse come living space in East London, where they recorded the album. It is rumoured to have been a fraught and at times difficult process for the band, who allegedly argued excessively whilst recording.
Galapagos is still the same old synth and hook heavy sound that we loved from their debut and is rich in opulence and indulgence in that atypical 80’s manner. To define them by genre is tricky, while they look like your run- of-the-mill l indie band on the surface, they are very much a progressive rock synth band with lashings of personality and creativity.
The band have befriended Manchester quartet Everything Everything, an influence that can be heard in on the LP. Whilst they wear their inspirations on their sleeves, every track has its own stamp, and never drifts into the dangerous realms of imitation. It’s the kind of album where it is near impossible to choose a favourite track. Each has its own awkward charm and intense narrative, and sonically they are operating on a very sophisticated level. This will no doubt be the album that will make Post War Years, promising longevity and a full bank of creativity just waiting to be further unlocked.
No comments:
Post a Comment