If you’re going to choose Friday 13th as the release date for your new record, at least go the
whole hog and take the trouble to include a free hockey mask with each item sold. Actually,
judging by the bewildering array of formats in which you can secure your copy of ‘Metronomy Forever’, including a triple LP in orange and green vinyl, echoing the Hanna-Barbera cover
artwork courtesy of French artist Anna Zeum, they might have gotten away with it if it hadn’t
been for those meddling kids.
Ironically, frontman Mount does sort of get away with it on ‘Metronomy Forever’ his band’s
sixth release, the adopted Parisian creating something of a sprawling, radio inspired affair
across what is four sides of vinyl for those taking the tangible route. Here, Metronomy’s
trademark taut roller-disco punk-funk in tracks such as ‘Salted Caramel Ice Cream’ finds
itself interspersed with infectiously propulsive grooves including the less is moreness of
‘Lying Low’ complete with a beguiling Partridge inducing bassline. A sprinkling of
otherworldly instrumental interludes keep the listener guessing, the click of the kettles almost
audible on ‘Driving’ or the video nasty tinged ‘Insecure’. Not surprisingly, we’re also treated
to plenty of Gallic flavourings throughout, most notably on the voyeuristic nightclub
wallflower track ‘Miracle Rooftop’.
To the uninitiated, the sum total of these meanderings and dead ends may prove a bridge
too far but not a bit of it, Mount managing to avoid the traditional Boudokan extravagance
sometimes associated with the double-album format.
Following a handful of summer festival appearances, Metronomy will be taking ‘Forever’ on
the road this autumn with upwards of a dozen European dates before gracing UK venues in
November, including a remembrance night appearance at Leeds O2 Academy, Be there or
be square.
Words - Mike Price
Metronomy official
Metronomy Forever is out now on Because Music