The Glasgow band’s 10th album in a 25-year career is full of their usual dynamic contrasts and soaring cinematic, experimental passages, but strip back to older styles on which they build newer sounds. As ever, opening with an ironic title, To The Bin My Friend, Tonight We Vacate Earth embraces their epic, cinematic scope, building slowly with gradual layers to a huge, clamouring volume. The next two Here We, Here We Go, Here We Go Forever, and then Dry Fantasy are more electronica based, the latter with an analogue synth lead. RItchie Sacramento, the latest and very catchy single is rather different - returning far more traditional indie, with lyrics, singing, verses and choruses. Fuck Off Money has tons of cymbals and builds into a pure noise track, while Ceiling Granny begins like a 70s electronic ambient track, but again shows our Mogwai are the kings of slow build crescendo to a huge, and constant cacophony. Midnight Flight is perhaps the most beautiful on the album, again very cinematic, uplifting, with stirring strings and driving percussion. Produced by Dave Fridmann who has also worked with Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips) the guests Atticus Ross (Nine Inch Nails) on Midnight Flit, and Colin Stetson (saxophonist who has collaborated with Bon Ivor, Arcade Fire). Overall a broad spectrum of dynamic, exciting build, one that cries out to be heard at big spectacle gig. Hopefully this can happen in 2021. Out on Rock Action Records.
Feel free to also check out our favourite albums of 2020 here:
Fiona Apple to Lianne La Havas to Yves Tumor: favourite albums of 2020 – Part 1
Agnes Obel to Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers to Sault: favourite albums of 2020 – Part 2
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