Returning with their first album in four years, the Scottish indie band certainly have a task to do. Their last effort, 'The Life Pursuit' cemented their status as a consistently good band, and brought more followers from the mainstream to ingratiate themselves in their cult-like fan club. Their latest album, 'Write About Love', intends to build on this new following whilst still sticking to their fundamental sound, which is so characteristically Belle & Sebastian. Thankfully, the album does that with aplomb, resulting in one of their finest albums to date.
The album opens confidently, with 'I Didn't See It Coming', an upbeat and assured song. Vocals are taken by Sarah Martin, whose opening imperative 'Make me dance/I want to surrender' sets the tone for the rest of the album; this is an album of letting go of your inhibitions and letting the music take over. That, perhaps, is supported by the album title - 'Write About Love', and let it all out. The next track, 'Come On Sister' continues in the same vein, with an uplifting melody that may seem more electronic than expected from the band, but it still sounds very much like Belle & Sebastian, not due to any type of instrumentalists, but due to the band's developed sense of how to support each other's rhythms and melodies.
'Write About Love' is not much of a change for the band, as they have slowly been shifting to a sound more electronic and upbeat, but the songs are still very much embedded in their musical roots. It seems more like a consolidation of the band's strengths, rather than a move into new territory. 'Calculating Bimbo' is a more gentle song, with Stuart Murdoch woozily singing an ode to love lost over a slow beat, showing the listener that love isn't all frolicking and fun, but also comes with the sense of loss and sadness. Similarly, 'Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John' follows on with this theme, with Murdoch's poetic lyrics harmonising with guest vocalist Norah Jones, seemingly like a conversation between two would-be lovers.
Musically, the band seem split between two distinctive sounds - the buoyant, vibrant side of songs like 'I'm Not Living In The Real World' and the title track, and the more gentle and sparse songs like 'Read The Blessed Pages'. Neither side seems to compromise each other, and they both work well together in harmony, with the band slipping seamlessly from enormous fugues of songs that build and build, to quiet compositions of songs with Murdoch's quiet and touching voice taking prominence.
The subject matter of the songs tend to stick to the principle of the album title, playing on Murdoch's lyrical strengths. He is a skilled conjurer of stories and emotions, retaining the wit and poetic skill that help make their songs so elegant. There are regular allusions to Christianity, like in the title track, as Murdoch sings 'Get on your skinny knees and pray' with guest singer Carey Mulligan chipping in with 'Maybe not today'. The theme of breaking up and longful lamentations is also prominent, but seems insincere coming from a happily-married man. However, saying that, everyone can empathise and feel the strength of lyrics about love, as they are so easily relatable to anyone who has experienced its highs and lows.
'Write About Love' is not an immediate album, but one that will grow on you with each and every listen. Every time you listen, something new will reveal itself that helps the album fit together, and shows you that the essence of the album is classic Belle & Sebastian. If you are a first-time listener, this album helps introduce you to the band in a way which showcases their strengths, whilst urging you to discover more. It is a great record in a catalogue of many; and there is something here for all listeners to enjoy.
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