Such is the sheer abundance of output from the music world in recent times — which feels particularly acute this year — it can be quite hard not to miss key things, even from reliable sources. Yet, thankfully, two distinctly dissimilar albums from the trusty homestead of Gare Du Nord Records have been extracted from the review pile just in time for Freq coverage in 2024. Both remind us that the label’s quietly radical diversity remains a compelling force running in the background of the record-releasing business.
First up then, is Dancing The Same Dance, the debut full-length from Czech-born Londoner and current Milan-resident Misha Chylkova. Why this smoulderingly stunning affair isn’t being talked about more widely can perhaps partly be attributed to difficulties in finding it an easy pigeon-hole. Nevertheless, its darkly alluring radiance demands some proper examination.
Undoubtedly, one of this year’s most undervalued jewels, this is a majestic must-buy, from an artist deserving of much broader attention.
In complete contrast is The Whole Band Just Turned Mellow from Keiron Phelan and Peace Signs. As the fourth long-player under the leadership of the erstwhile State River Widening and Phelan Sheppard experimentalist-turned-chameleonic-pop-craftsman, this is a more upbeat shift on from 2022’s more melancholic ballad-led Bubblegum Boogie, making it a most welcome arrival in the murk of winter.
On the more wistful side, space is given over to the twinkling pretty ruminations of “Suck My Thumb”; the nostalgic pedal steel-smeared “I Once Gave David Essex Kisses”; a sweet bossa nova homage to the late leader of The Sound, Adrian Borland, that is “Adrian, Come Back”; and a sauntering nod to T. Rex’s less amplified avenues through the closing “Soft Rock”.
Those already accustomed to Keiron Phelan’s latter-day Renaissance man activities will be more than satisfied here. For newcomers, this should also act as a satisfyingly strong delayed introduction.-Adrian-