We join Georgie for a well-deserved box around the ears, followed by a new education in that most misjudged of genres, folk.
Last week, one of my favourite new folk discoveries, Tunng, a loose six-piece folktronica band from London, released their fourth album …And Then We Saw Land. It is safe to say I was more than a little bit excited about it.
You see, I have been a Tunng addict ever since I first heard ‘Hustle’, a few weeks ago on Lauren Laverne’s BBC 6Music show. I fell in love with it instantly; mixing quirky rhythms and jolly upbeats with soft vocals and a gentle melody, it really is a very beautiful song. I had to have more, and launched myself with much vigour into an exploration of their back catalogue.
Using a whole host of unusual instruments, including mandolins and sea shells, Tunng combine the precise and technological production of electronica with the more relaxed and free acoustics of folk. They fill their music with unusual chinks, jangles, whirrs and chimes, which gives it an organic, back-to-nature feel. Soothing and uplifting in equal measure, Tunng have succeeded in creating something truly unique and distinctive.
However, there are some definite differences between their earlier work and the latest release. This is largely due to the departure of singer-songwriter and Tunng founder Sam Genders. Though losing the keystone member may have dealt a fatal blow to many a musical group, Tunng have only served to come back stronger. The loss of Genders has allowed them to collaborate, experiment and evolve; the electronica element has been toned down to allow the more organic, folk element to take to the fore, whilst Becky Jacobs, whose only previous vocal contribution had been harmonising, has emerged alongside established singer Mike Lindsay to form a delightful mix of male and female tones.
I suspect that, with this latest release, many a critic will discredit Tunng for foregoing some of their quirkiness and therefore adventurousness found on their previous albums. However, I personally feel that Tunng have lost nothing of their earlier work, but rather have evolved into something even more wonderful. They have retained their unusual qualities that made their earlier albums so characteristic, but given it a richer element that will increase their appeal.
It’s ok to love Tunng’s old work and new work in equal measure; the new release may be different but in all essential elements it is still Tunng, and still contains everything that makes Tunng special. It is a display of evolution and not loss. I was right to be excited about …And The We Saw Land. It’s a beautiful and exciting record from a wonderfully unique band. My Tunng obsession grows.
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