OK I am going to start the review of Arctic Plateau’s third full length album with the caveat that I feel a little duped into reviewing it by the PR blurb which promised post-rock/shoe gaze for fans of The Cure and Alcest. I gotta admit I got all of a tizzy and fake backcombed my bald pate in preparation.
It was not to be – the comparisons are looser than Robert Smiths jumpers in the mid 80’s – there are some jangly guitars and a few vaguely post BM licks here and there but in reality this is a light grey indie pop album rather than a dark slice of post punk. That is not to say I hate it at all. Arctic Plateau is the labour of love for Gianluca Divirgillio who provides vocals, guitars, synths and backing vocals here and writes all the songs.
Once I am over my shattered expectations (how bloody dramatic- makes it sound like I am sat bereft gazing out of a window over a gloomy cityscape rather than sat in my dressing gown typing in a shed) I get into Songs of Shame. Divirgillio has a nice voice – he holds a tune well without really having anything that stands out – he sounds like a deeper, more polished, Barney Sumner of New Order and like Barney fades into the song somewhat. The opening two songs – the title track and “Saturn Girl” are gentle little evensong pop groovers that sit quietly in the background not bothering anyone nursing their third espresso in the stereotypical coffeeshop on a campus somewhere in a European city.
“No Need to Understand” has a Peter Hook bass line that is interesting and a bit more oomph and “Dark Rising Sun” see’s Arctic Plateau take a trip back to 2003 with a Tom DeLonge impression for a bit of Blinking Hot Topic bopping.
As I work my way through Songs of Shame, I have a eureka moment – the closest comparison I find for Arctic Plateau is The Psychedelic Furs. They have that radio friendly euro 80’s post pop that was beloved of American radio. There are also hints of The Edge guitar lines on “The Bat” and I get a bit of a Simple Minds vibe elsewhere. Due to my age it takes me back to being 12 and listening to the charts on a Sunday night and using my dark music stabilisers to get me to the real stuff. There is a bonus track here “Chlorine” which is my favourite on the album – a swooping sub 4 minute slice of ethereal instrumental post rock/dream pop. More of this please!
Effort has been made with the package design with cutaway folds to reveal and scantily clad soft focus bride – it’s nice touch but feels a little A level design project but again points towards what a personal journey this album is . It’s a journey I am glad I joined him on but maybe not one I will rush to repeat.
(5/10 Matt Mason)
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