ALBUM REVIEW: James Yorkston - The Cellardyke Recording And Wassailing Society (Domino Records)

Originally published at Middle Boop Mag: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/music-news/james-yorkston-cellardyke-recording-and-wassailing-society-domino-records

This release marks James Yorkston’s sixth full-length LP of original material, his last release was 2012’s I Was A Cat From A Book. With collaborations aplenty, nothing much has changed on first listen – the record seems to naturally follow suit in that dreamy, soothing way that we have grown to love.

Yorkston has consistently been able to create a very specific mood through his ability to storytell with the world that he draws the listener into - images of a gloomy, insignificant Scottish town dance around your subconscious, and the feeling of being trapped within the obsolete.  

 His relationship with his children is also touched upon, along with the everyday heartbreak of just being a human being, toiling with the push and pull of responsibility, whilst desperately still trying to hold onto the notion- only if for a second – of being free.

An appearance from Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor on the production side is a wonderful interjection of something a little different to the record.  ‘Guy Fawkes Signature’ is a spoken word piece – with the gentle tones of fellow Scott KT Tunstall, Taylor’s Hot Chip-esq steel drums pirouetting in the background.  Other appearances include The Pictish Trail, Emma Smith and a little more from Tunstall.

CRAWS is 16 tracks long, a perfect treat for those music fans who enjoy to wallow and slowly digest in an album, returning again and again, whilst more and more of the essence of the record becomes clearer. It’s an incredibly comforting yet sombre creation, and is worth your full attention.  

ALBUM REVIEW: Villagers - 'Awayland' (Domino)

Originally published at Gigwise: http://www.gigwise.com/reviews/78818/villagers---awayland-domino

The Irish born Conor O’Brien and Co, formerly Villagers have shrewdly bided their time since their multi-award nominated debut album Becoming a Jackal. It has been three long years now and for those who have waited with baited breath for their return, prepare to be blown away.

The first taste of Awayland emerged late last year with leading single 'The Waves', an inimitable and almost avant-garde voyage of a song, reminding us of their artistically poetic and surrealist tendencies.

Villagers have delicately refined the best of their previous style, yet honed in even deeper taking larger risks whilst keeping their original aura intact. Awayland floats in and out of delirious and almost alienating obscurity right back to poignant and relatable storytelling, to which sole songwriter and vocalist O’Brien is a master of.

From the drama of 'Earthy Pleasures' to the warming of 'Judgement Call', strained yet concise vocals are set against folk guitars and at times an almost techno enthused bass line.

An obvious comparison would be with Bon Iver, but without the drear. They have managed to craft the right blend of guitars, strings and emotion, but kept optimism and escapism at the records core. 'Grateful Song' is just lovely and entirely refreshing. The album finishes on a high with the delightful 'Rhythm Composer', a jaunty and fun ending to an extraordinary LP.

It’s very early days with regards to album’s of the year, but this no doubt be amongst them. It’s intelligent, imaginative and truly unique and as second albums go, a confident promise of longevity to their fans.

The beauty of this record is that it requires no work, no ‘right mood’. As it unfolds it is every bit as captivating its predecessor, if not more so. It will immediately grip your undivided attention and beg for repetition and further exploration.