You get the impression that in the timeframe Daniel (formerly of GusGus) spends perfecting one song, most bands have been hyped-up, drugged up, fucked up and gone back on the dole.
The clocks in his head must run at a different speed to the rest of us, given these painstakingly created but ultimately luscious sounds. It’s a clue as to how Nick Drake would have sounded if he’d stuck around long enough to be able dabble with a mic and Mac.
Like a Martin Grech you could book for childrens' parties, Daniel creates a charming mixture of rattles and squelches and yet much like Magnet, underlying all of this layered production is a beating heart of humanity and emotion. ‘If You Leave Me Now’ perfectly highlights his talent, as lazy strings offset wilting vocals so chilled out they’re almost horizontal, whilst R2-D2 malfunctions in the back of the speakers.
Time most-definitely well spent.
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7Matthew Butler's Score