Life upstream

Settler first committed their recordings to an eponymous EP in 2001, an interesting if not particularly mind-blowing release on Mango Music. Rather than tread the same water again in long player form, Life Upstream truly sparkles. Previously, it was a little underwhelming, “we’re strumming here in the corner if anybody is interested” sort of stuff. Now this acoustic alt-pop is bristling with attitude and razor sharp lyrics, fusing melancholia with dark gallows humour and pithy one liners.

“Digest all the fables, this meat and potatoes,” intones opener ‘The Blatant Truth’ – a super starting point and an indicator of their bruising honesty. ‘Shave When I’m Drunk’ and ‘Write To Your Mother’ are wonderful meaty nuggets of skewered pop arrangements. Nora O’Connor pops up on ‘Left Behind’, a chanteuse who has graced recordings by the likes of the Handsome Family in the past. Settler have a wonderful feel for rhyme and alliteration; “When you’re languishing/Almost vanishing from a steady stream of fluctuating fates/In this kid of languor you might even pander to a caricature of Irish literature.” Vocals from space popper Tim O’Donovan (electro wunderkind who is NeoSupervital), Mike Stevens and Derek McCormack facilitate nice contrasts and different tones.

Life Upstream is a serious upping of quality and raising of the bar. Hitch a ride and put the feet back.