Happiness is just the matter of seizing the right moment to do the right thing. There are some things that are always right. Whenever I get depressed from cold and long winter, I play Metronomy. I go to the sunny beach in my mind. Their third album The English Riviera is especially convenient for that escapism. In the intro, a seal is calling us to join the band on a sunny Riviera. How cool is that. The relaxed trip doesn’t stop until the very last song.
It would be reductive to say that this album is reflection of the 80s, although it draws influences from that era. It is a more of an eclectic record. I am sure everyone can find something that they like.
We Broke Free is electronic track with the chill atmosphere and 70s vibe. The falsetto just drives me to the beach. Who was ever indifferent on the beach??? The sound of summer is also to be heard on a multi-layered lounge-funk song Everything Goes My Way. This is probably my favorite Metronomy song. It features Roxanne Clifford from Veronica Falls. The ironic lyrics speak about continuing relationship after a breakup. Trouble has a very dear line – There’s a tear in your eye and Here’s no ‘’I’’ in tear. It proves that Mounth is a talented songwriter, alongside being a great multi-instrumentalist.
The Look. OMG. No, this is my favorite Metronomy song. It is like The Beach Boys on Xanax. The Bay has Daft Punk vibe and it glorifies the area where lead singer Joseph Mountha was born. Needless to say, summer is omnipresent here too. She Wants covers another sentimental theme. Baseline and lyrics make me visit a very special tab of my heart’s history. Loving Arm has a similar emotional nature, but it is more electronic-ambient.
Corrine is a simple 80s-inspired number, but battle between male and female vocals makes it fun. Some Written fall somewhere between bossa nova and waltz. Instrumentally, this is the most complex track on the album.
The English Riviera closes with Love Underlined, representing the music game of Metronomy in a brilliant manner. It grows from hypnotic rhythm and bassline to techno sound and organ. Main vocal and back vocals sound amazing. A true masterpiece.
