Metronomy ‘Small World’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

Brighton based Metronony’s seventh album ‘Small World’ released on Because Music, is yet another existential release from a band forced to get back to basics in 2020; the world as we know it stopping and everyone getting off for a few months. Frontman and only remaining constant member Joseph Mount, suddenly confined to barracks with his family like the rest of us. finding unexpected solace in his immediate surroundings; the inspiration behind the record’s title and whose artwork comprises an old photo of public parkland taken by Mount’s mum. 

Despite the broadly optimistic theme throughout the nine tracks, on first listen the album feels like a slightly random collection of really rather good songs, a bunch of musical non-sequiturs that knit beautifully together with every listen. Sparse and sombre opener ‘Life and Death’, places the listener tentatively emerging from a nuclear winter, eyes adjusting to the once more brilliant light. Mount’s somewhat startled voice is interspersed with a pedestrian drum machine, piano tiptoeing delicately in the background, setting the scene of a band regrouping. Occasional shards of keyboard light slowly stir before the song abruptly ends, as if the formerly emboldened collective suddenly dart back into the darkness like a rabbit fleeing oncoming headlights.

Take two ‘Things Will Be Fine’ is a straight-ahead road trip groover brimming with romance and optimism. Mount is clearly in a wistful mood declaring “Yeah, I might save the day, Yeah, I might change the world, But I need you the most, Yeah, I need you to hold”. The positively barnstorming ‘It’s Good To Be Back’ proves the album’s highlight, video game electronica and guitar driving a sun-drenched chorus, a real sonic breath of fresh air that has summer festival banger written all over it.

Mount dabbles with Yacht Rock in the stylish ‘Love Factory’, another tribute to his other half, teamwork definitely making the dream work as we all sail serenely into St Tropez for a spot of quayside lobster. We get full-on Major Tom in ‘I Lost My Mind’, more serene summer pop in ‘Right On Time’ and kitchen sink indie yearning in ‘Hold Me Tonight’. The latter comes replete with fiddle and fine guest voice from Porridge Radio’s ‘Dana Margolin serving as the recalcitrant female from a lifetime ago. Finally, the tender and heartfelt 60s tinged ode to sharing simple pleasures ‘I Have Seen Enough’ aptly rounds things off in classic slow dance mode.

Small but perfectly formed. 

Words :Mike Price

Metronomy official 

METRONOMY UK TOUR DATES

 

Friday 22 April - Barrowland - Glasgow, UK

Saturday 23 April - O2 Academy - Leeds, UK

Sunday 24 April - Boiler Shop - Newcastle, UK

Tuesday 26 April - Olympia Theatre - Dublin, Ireland

Wednesday 27 April - O2 Academy - Liverpool, UK

Thursday 28 April - Academy - Manchester, UK

Saturday 30 April - O2 Academy - Birmingham, UK

Sunday 1 May - Tramshed - Cardiff, UK

Tuesday 3 May - The Foundry - Torquay, UK

Wednesday 4 May - O2 Academy - Bristol, UK

Thursday 5 May - O2 Academy - Oxford, UK

Saturday 7 May - Alexandra Palace - London, UK