Magazines like the British music monthlies “Uncut” and “Mojo” have a tradition of including a music CD since their inception. Usually, whether it is just a monthly review of what is new and good or a special thematic edition, like different artists doing songs of one musical legend or another, it is usually stuff you have heard or you don’t care about. Of course, there are exceptions and songs that really hit you are usually too far apart. But, the recent compilation magazine “Mojo” put out to mark the special issue of The Beatles seminal “Sgt. Pepper” album had such a gem I didn’t encounter until now.
It was “Strange Sun” by Pictish Trail from his latest album (autumn 2016) “Future Echoes”. Of I went for the album straight away with the usual suspicion it was probably going to be the only worth track on it. Now I’m really glad to admit I was wrong. Pictish Trail is “nom du plume” of Scotsman Johnny Lynch. If the name sounds familiar, he had a longstanding relationship with the Scottish Fence Collective, the musical home of artists like King Creosote and James Yorkston. Actually, Lynch was the head at Fence Records that issued most of the Fence Collective material until a few years back when he had a falling out with his until then best friend King Creosote. Along with fatalities that have hit his family, these events heavily influenced his work on “Future Echoes”.
But if you are are expecting some melancholy, even down-trodden music, you would be completely wrong. Lynch obviously decided to fight sadness with a sense of humor here. For example, “Dead Connection” is a straight ahead psychedelic, but modern dance number. Like other numbers here, the music, lyrics and particularly the arrangement ‘wrappers’ Lynch did with co-producer Adam Ilhan are excellent, giving an additional within in the treatment of themes they tackle. And it seems Lynch has decided to tackle the whole universe from the perspective of a man who has been through a lot.
For proof you can start from anywhere on the album, or from the beginning - introductory 'Far Gone (Don't Leave)' is sort of a tribute to cinema’s brothers Cohen and their movie/TV show “Fargo”. Or you can dab somewhere in the middle with “Rhombus” and “Half Life” - you always get hit by gentle electronics and great vocal harmonies. You can’t miss it. Of course, holding with the theme of the album, Lynch ends it wit a danceable ‘version’ of “After Life”. All absolutely great. But somehow, I still always put “Strange Sun” for an extra play.
