Dutch Uncles aren’t distant European relatives nor a weird sex position. Well actually they might be. But for the purposes of this review, let’s just maintain that they’re a band with a new album out.
Prior to the release of the fifth album by the Stockport four piece Dutch Uncles, I found myself grabbed by Big Balloon’s title track on the radio. A galloping bass and drum groove was the first thing that caught me, followed by vocals I was certain I had heard before: I thought Hot Chip had taken a new direction. I was wrong.
I’m guilty. I had given Dutch Uncles little to no thought in the past. They were another one of those bands that you always hear great things about, but would slip through the net every time you’d search for something new. Alas, this wasn’t Alexis Taylor singing to me, but rather his vocal doppleganger Duncan Wallis. Vocals aside, ‘Big Balloon’ is a track that hooked me, with an instant chorus that became my first earworm of 2017.
I was ready to delve into this new venture and be served some humble pie of the best variety – guilt-free pop pie. I started by contextualising this new release alongside their previous LPs. Any band that wears their Kate Bush influence on their sleeve gets a strong upvote from me. it’s an influence that is prominent throughout their work, particularly in 2013’s Out of Touch in the Wild.
Big Balloon opens with the title track, and maintains the chugging pace and tight percussion with the joyfully off-kilter ‘Baskin’. The lead guitar lines on this album are a highlight, exuding sharpness and confidence. These are songs that have been worn in and quality tested. ‘Combo Box’ follows, sounding like Bowie’s ‘Fame’ covered by David Byrne. The Talking Heads influence is scattered throughout this album, particularly in ‘Hiccup’ and ‘Sink’.
Sounding familiar and unique simultaneously is a difficult art to master. Even more difficult is being able to evoke this while creating memorable and succinct music. Dutch Uncles have been ever so close to this stage in the past, and Big Balloon sees them finally strike the balance.
Take the track ‘Streetlight’ for example. Every element is gradually brought in: a pulsating synth undercurrent is layered with twangy guitars – and by the time the vocals sweep over the top, the track is glossed with melody. These elements drop out and return throughout the track, but each constituent element is strong enough to hold its own.
This is a tight, concise pop album. Clocking in at 35 minutes, its ten tracks are joyful, experimental pop of the highest calibre. This is easily Dutch Uncle’s most cohesive record to date. There isn’t a string or grid synth out of place, with the rest of the record easily living up to the enormity of the title track. 4/5
