Three albums, 17 May 2022

Three more recently released albums that deserve extra attention. All three are among the best in their respective fields, towards really special overall. 2022 is turning into an exceptional year musically, although, of course its true worth can only be ascertained over time. For now, my ears are truly enjoying themselves.

We. Arcade Fire

Listening to We for the second time, I decided to order the album immediately. We shows all signs of being a monumental album. 'Everything Now', despite all the critique of being a disco album, went down really well with me. With its second and third album Arcade Fire had totally lost me, only to return gloriously.

We is as monumental as it is timeless. The band embraces everything from The Beatles to today. It bares itself in total vulnerability, yet it is as tough as nails and all without ever not convincing. In 'End Of The Empire (Sagittarius A*) it moves as easily from The Beatles to early 70s David Bowie in ballad mode. Think 'Life On Mars' and songs like it.

Time flies. When the debut album of what I still consider to be a new band approaches its 20th birthday, it is a clear sign that time does pass, fast. The good thing is that age does not determine what is good music. Mindset does. Curiosity does. And when I hear a song like 'The Lightning' explode, I know I'm listening to an ever better album. Not that it's a unique song. The War on Drugs makes dozens of songs like this, but it can't get close to what Arcade Fire is doing here. This is strength, balled energy, purpose and focus all in one.

"No one is perfect", Win Butler sings in 'Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)'. It seems like I have to beg to differ. We is perfect. Arcade Fire has found a strength that I did not see coming. Not just of the powerful (alternative) folkrock it plays, no, We contains an inner strength in combination with a form of lightness that was previously missing. It combines the best, i.e. party element,of 'Everything Now' and all that came before that album. Perhaps 'Everything Zen' was the album that allowed for creating We. Growth is what we call progress like this.

Skinty Fia. Fontaines DC

The band moved from Ireland to London and now looks back, with a little homesickness thrown into the mix in the form of more Irishness. Whether the move is responsible for the quality of Skinty Fia is impossible to determine of course. Fact is, Skinty Fia is a definite and positive next step for the band. The lyrics are still depending on the strength of repetition, something more bands are good at in the 20s. Take Porridge Radio or Wet Leg. My personal likeness of Fontaines DC grows per album as well. 'A Hero's Death' did agree with me and Skinty Fia is a no brainer to like. From the very start the album intrigues. 'In Ág Croíthe Go Deo', the opening song, shows such growth, such subtlety and arranging skills. Fontaines DC may have lost its wild hairs here, it has won a tonne of beauty in that process of loss.

There's enough of the "old" Fontaines DC left on its new album, fact is that the band is evolving and letting in other influences. The result is a more diverse album. Singer Grian Chatten's role, always prominent, has become more so. When the band steps back, it all comes down on his vocal skills to impress. Chatten takes the role effortlessly. Of course, he's no Frank Sinatra, he's Grian Chatten and pulls the songs of his band totally towards him, making the whole shine. The band created some very nice arrangements around him, resulting in a wide ranging album, showing more different sides of itself. Skinty Fia seems to be the right step for the band, as it allows it grow. Now and in the future.

Night Gnomes. Pornographic Porn Crumpets

Pornographic Porn Crumpets, from Perth, Australia, are in a hurry it seems. Within a year there's a new album and not one that sounds like it was made in a hurry. Covid may have assisted here, as Australia was long cut of from the rest of the world. With Night Gnomes PPC goes for full frontal attack on the senses of its listeners. The band plays rock but without a doubt psychedelic features are a huge component of its music. Although the band shows a few sides of itself on Night Gnomes, one band springs to mind continuously while listening to the album: Kula Shaker. Drop the overly Indian influences of the band's debut album 'K' and you are left with the fiery rock music it also played. Singer Jack McEwan comes close to Chrispian Mills here alright. PPC is able to lay the same sort of energy into its music and combine it with exciting and good songs. Not everything is played in fifth gear, some songs on Night Gnomes do hold back, but always as a step up to releasing more energy. Comparing the two albums I'm familiar with, the latest issue is a giant step forward. From nice to good with Night Gnomes.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Skinty Fia here:

https://fontainesdc.bandcamp.com/album/skinty-fia