Returning with a first first studio LP since 2017's Different Days, and their 14th overall across 35 years, veterans Tim Burgess, Martin Blunt and co’s latest has that signature sound with Hammond organ, euphoric, engaging melodies, indie syncopations and co-production by Dev Hynes, Fred Macpherson and Stephen Street. This album also sees them return to Rockfield Studios in Wales for the first time in 30 years where they made 1997’s Tellin’ Stories, so there’s a throwback feel to the release as well as a poignant air - their keyboard player up to that time - Rob Collins - was killed in the middle of that album’s sessions, in a car crash at the bottom of the track leading to the farm. There are even lyrical Easter eggs referencing past signature tracks including How High (from Tellin’ Stories) Impossible and Opportunity, so there’s a look back and forwards across this release. The standout title track is a sweet psychedelic singalong love letter to the human race, one which Burgess describes as “like an open top car ride in the credits of your favourite movie driving along the coast to somewhere amazing”, with Mark Collins’ guitar riffs bright and agile alongside Tony Rogers keyboards. Opener Kingdom of Ours has a psychedelic haze, with acoustic swooning, resonant guitars, the engaging Many A Day A Heartache has a wistful, upbeat nostalgia to it (“It's just rock ’n' roll / But I gave it my all”), while For The Girls is a tender love song to partner and family: “Darling, you've seen my scars / And I've seen yours/ Holding yourself / Yes, it's worth it / For the girls / for the girls”. Deeper and Deeper feels like classic Charlatans, with rich Hammond organ and that syncopated beat. Before the simple, floating, Beatles-ish closer Everything Now, the sequence of Appetite, Out On Our Own, and Glad You Grabbed Me all variously acknowledge memories forging friendships and good and bad band times (“We can talk about your dreams, I spoke about mine / We were turning the pages and following the rhyme / I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time/ But every song I write deserves a rhyme …”, “Do you remember / Taking acid in Cambridge? … For all our achievements And all our accolades/ Glad you grabbed me/ Despite disagreements / And all of the mess we made / Love you madly.” An album full of love then of all kinds, and a fitting return to an enduringly likeable band. Out on BMG.
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