In my previous blog I explored 1901, the new album from Gothenburg’s Melody Fields. They have now dropped 1991 the second of their albums to release this year. What can we expect from the band this time around? Here’s what they had to say.
“1991 takes a different approach as a concept album that evolved from late-night jam sessions, experimental sounds, and danceable music. It presents four collaborations including contributions from GOAT and Al Lover, which inject new life into the original composition ’Jesus’ from the previous album, 1901. The collaborations offer fresh perspectives and invigorating interpretations, breathing new energy into the music and allowing it to evolve further.”
This sounds like it’s going to be a completely different creature altogether. Only one way to find out, let’s drop the needle.
From the very opening refrain of ‘Hallelujah we’re transported to the early nineties. Luscious synths and housey house pianos set this one dead centre of the dancefloor in the Hacienda. Somehow the band maintain that psychedelic edge throughout defining this as a Melody Fields song. Vocals never reach the front of the mix adding to that trippy, hypnotic effect. This is a bold new direction and one the band own every second of. What could so easily have slipped into nostalgia porn instead becomes a celebration of that time that transcends the years.
The closing bars feature that ever-familiar glide guitar effect I love so much. That segues neatly into the utterly euphoric ‘Blasphemy’. For an old shoegazer like me this track had me smiling ear to ear throughout. The synth melody in the verse sections is such a bright and shiny contrast to those pulsing and grinding guitars. This is the very essence of that 1991 shoegaze sound and I could listen to it all day.
Next up is a dub / house reworking of ‘Jesus’ from previous album 1901. That powerful horn section now a serpentine, languid synth pad. Vocals more muted now, as if heard from a distance. Front and centre it’s drums and bass all the way retooling this number for the late-night dance floor.
‘Dandelion’ comes in all pounding drums and guitar riffing. The sixties psychedelic sound looms large in the vocal delivery and sitar-like guitar soloing. I am immediately thinking of Fifth Dimension era Byrd’s recordings which is my favourite era of their output. It’s that cool circular guitar riff that is the thread that everything else is relying on. It’s a great lesson in less is more.
‘Talking With Jesus’ presents a late night take on ‘Jesus’. This is very much post party in the chillout room. I can see this popping up in a future Back to Mine compilation. The laid-back approach carries us off to smoke filled rooms populated with the diehards from the party. Wringing every last moment of the night before mornings light sends us home again.
There’s a shift in tone next with ‘Diary of a Young Man’. Like a souped-up 13th Floor Elevators meets the Mary Chain. It’s a super saturated track dominated by the scuzzy, fuzzed out guitars and almost tribal drumming when in the final minute it all disappears, replaced with a distant lone female voice in the wilderness. Which acts a neat segue into ‘Bhagavana Najika Cha’.
This is a wonderful mash up of eastern influenced psyche with the cosmic, spacey explorations of space rock. The eerily echoing chants of the vocals weave into the flute and screaming guitars. This track really keeps you on your toes as it twists and turns its way along.
As it winds down, we head into the final rework out for ‘Jesus’. ‘Son of Man’ strips it right back to shaker and bass as it begins with only the essential horns making their presence felt from the original. Vocals have been heavily treated and panned out while a tinkling toy piano has been added for some new textures. It’s the perfect chilled way to close out this cracking album.
1991 could be viewed as a companion piece to 1901 however I think that’s looking at simplistically. Yes, there are a few remixes on here but the inclusion of ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Blasphemy’ for me make this an essential listen any day of the week. Melody Fields have been incredibly generous in my opinion, listened to back-to-back these two albums are practically flawless. Make sure you go and grab your copies before they completely sell out because, trust me, when word gets around, they will fly.
1991 is out now via Coop Records and Nudie Records. Head on over to the Melody Fields Bandcamp page to check it out for yourself.
You can follow Melody Fields on social media here…
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