British Sea Power: Machineries Of Joy

If, after their disappointing fourth album, you thought British Sea Power’s race was run, think again. Valhalla Dancehall was hamstrung by a lack of focus and several forgettable songs, but neither affliction troubles them here. Co-frontman Yan has described Machineries Of Joy as ‘warm and restorative’ and ‘an antidote’ to a mad, hysterical world.

That just about sums it up. Although they have often been compared to spiky propositions like The Pixies and Joy Division, many of BSP’s best moments have come when they have prioritised melody and mood – think of the pastoral psychedelia of ‘North Hanging Rock’ and ‘Lately’, or the widescreen majesty of ‘Carrion’ and ‘Oh Larsen B’. Both of these qualities are central to Machineries Of Joy.
The six-minute title track marries motorik glide to minor-key drama and a galvanising lyric about how we all are, indeed, “magnificent machineries of joy”. It’s an early sign that the band’s gift for bucolic wistfulness has not deserted them. Yan’s brother Hamilton supplies the sighing ballad ‘Hail Holy Queen’ and the lovely ‘Spring Has Sprung’, which is gradually cloaked in a crescendo of guitar noise. ‘Monsters Of Sunderland’ is a fizzing post-punk stomp, ‘Radio Goddard’ bestows gravitas and some glorious cornet from Phil Sumner, and BSP leave the best to (second) last, with the sumptuous ‘A Light Above Descending’. Yan hasn’t always been feted for his vocals, and his band haven’t always been associated with emotional resonance, but from now on he can point to this achingly tender song as evidence of both. It’s emblematic of a unique band that are back on top of their game.