ESTRONS YOU SAY I’M TOO MUCH, I SAY YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Erin Bashford
Welsh for ‘strangers’ or ‘aliens’, Estrons have characterised their music as a call-to-arms for all those on the periphery. Whether intentional or not, the sometimes edgy, sometimes aggressive, always personal music of the band is deſtly conveyed throughout their debut LP’s ten tracks. Three years ago, Estrons released their debut single Make A Man to widespread acclaim. This remains the standout moment on the album, but perhaps more for me because it was my introduction to the band, and it has stayed as the song that marks them out. Estrons have always been unapologetically fiery; as such the record is filled with short and energetic tracks, which flow seamlessly. Natural and cohesive, there is an undeniable thread of passion that keeps the record afloat. Wholeheartedly injected to every song on the record, You Say I’m Too Much, I Say You’re Not Enough is truly a product of its name. Led by the fierce vocals of Tali Kallstrom, Estrons are making a well-deserved mark on alt-rock. You Say I’m Too Much, I Say You’re Not Enough is a record that owns itself.
NENEH CHERRY BROKEN POLITICS
David Auckland
Following the starkness and percussive urgency of 2014's Blank Project, written aſter the death of her mother, Neneh Cherry’s comeback ‘protest’ album Broken Politics is an expansive yet considered affair complete with harps, synths, kalimbas and heartfelt lyrics, creating an overall effort that critically views the present with the ontology of a parent with grown-up children of her own. Produced by Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) Broken Politics exudes a spirit that initially floats over skittering snare in opening track Fallen Leaves. “Just because I'm down”, Cherry warns, “don't step all over me”. The message is clear: activism begins at home. We need to fight against the extinction of free thought and spirit, even if we feel broken, disappointed or sad. Broken Politics sets out its stall with disquietude over migration (Kong), fake news (Faster Than The Truth), and gun culture (Shot Gun Shack), but leaving time and space for mortal reflection (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and a plea for honesty (Natural Skin Deep). As Cherry points out in Synchronised Devotion, “It's my politics, living in the slow jam”. It may be 29 years since Raw Like Sushi propelled Neneh Cherry into our hearts, but the pulse and the beat remain very much alive.
BLANCMANGE WANDERLUST
Steve Plunkett
It’s great to have Blancmange back. In the 80s, they delivered some brilliant music and were an excellent live band to boot, and were well renowned for their ground- shaking electronic synthesiser sounds. Since 2011, lead singer Neil Arthur has been recording fresh material, but without his original band partner Stephen Luscombe (who retired due to illness). Wanderlust follows last year's Unfurnished Rooms and has some great songs on it. Opener Distant Storm has the classic Blancmange machine gun pumping keyboard/synth running through its duration. I Smashed Your Phone is a four-minutes-forty drama about a bit of domestic bother that’s kicking off and rather angrily being played out. The intoxicating piece that is Leaves is also another bold bruiser of a track. Next year, the band will be forty years old, so it’s quite an achievement to still be writing and recording new material aſter all this time. Their sound is certainly still sharp and fresh and retains a very edgy feel to it; they still pack a real killer punch and Wanderlust certainly has all the trademarks of some of their very finest works. They’re playing at Norwich Arts Centre on the 1st of November, so be sure to check them out for a great live show.
26 / OCT-NOV 2018 /
OUTLINEONLINE.CO.UK
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