Django Django are a British art rock band based in London, England. The quartet was formed in 2009 by David Maclean (drummer and producer), Vincent Neff (singer and guitarist), Jimmy Dixon (bassist) and Tommy Grace (synthesizer operator) who met at Edinburgh College Of Art.
Their fourth album `Glowing in the Dark` is released this month and has a running theme of escape, whether it`s from despair, constraints, small town life, and even, in dreams, from the Earth.
The album opens with `Spirals` which gently builds with synth keys then a racing bass line and vocals that are simply shared and enjoy some delightful harmonies at the chorus. This quite anthemic number apparently muses on “the connections we have as humans being stronger than the divisions.” using the image of DNA. We have a short fast paced guitar driven track with `Right The Wrongs` that sounded a little like the early musings of Orange Juice.
`Got Me Worried` had a lot going on with shaken tambourine, an odd sounding rhythmic synth bleep and vocals that veered from anxious to perfectly dreamy. The song sounded quite tribal at times. English French actress and singer-songwriter Charlotte Gainsbourg guests on `Waking Up` and it`s a match made in heaven. It`s predominantly a quick paced acoustic composition and Charlotte`s breathless vocals add a delightful sense of tenderness.
`Free From Gravity` has an almost funky energy with a deep bass line, synth strings and drum machine beat that allows the preoccupied vocal delivery to narrate a tale of wishing to “escape everything that’s weighing you down”. Although there`s some sweet indie guitar riffs throughout `Headrush` is a real trippy affair. The lyrics, the band relate “were kind of looking at some of the messed-up directions that a lot of the western governments take”.
There`s a sort of ambient out there feel to `The Ark` which is a melodic offering that blends a plethora of instruments. A rolling drum beat and driving bass introduces us to `Night Of The Buffalo` a wonderfully mesmerising indie pop outing that had some subtle strings that felt quite middle eastern in texture. The song was inspired after watching the news reports about Trump’s oil and gas land rush through Native American reservations.
`The World Will Turn` is a bit of a curve ball, a dreamy folky submission that would not have been out of place on a Laurel Canyon playlist. There`s a retro Madchester feel to `Kick The Devil Out` with its high tuned jangly guitars. At times, it had a slight feel of the Stones Roses, The Happy Mondays and even a slight Primal Scream tinge.
Title track `Glowing In The Dark` is a wonderful earworm with its upbeat dance vibe and vocals a perfect harmonising foil to the hypnotic beat. The lyrical theme relates to an urge to escape, and to a sense of empowerment in the face of despondency. There`s an uplifting sentiment to `Hold Fast` a primarily electronic based comforting composition with an almost two-minute atmospheric musical lead in. A thoughtful piece about trying to hold on when the world seems to be crumbling a bit around you.
The album closes out with `Asking For More` an electro pop tune with vocals that seem to float around the repetitive beat with an interesting sort of distorted wah wah guitar sound and vocals shared through a vocoder. A unique but enjoyable twist to finish on.
Its safe to say that Django Django are a band that don`t seem to fit into any particular musical genre which makes them all that more appealing. `Glowing in the Dark` is a real delight of an album that benefits from having some captivating songs with enthralling and memorable grooves. A release that that will not just glow in the dark but emit a luminescence at all times.
Rating 9 /10
