A combination of instruments that create a whimsical musical playground
Riding the momentum from their previous 2020 release, Field Music brings fans their latest album Flat White Moon which came out on April 23. While their last record had many spatial songs with airy soundscapes, Flat White Moon offers a bit of change-up in sound, bringing a funkier tone to each song. This album is a combination of The Shins meets Dire Straits/Talking Heads style sounds. The album is filled with funky basslines, lush synths, twangy guitar riffs and percussive driving drums. Though the airy atmosphere from their previous album is present, this album brings in new elements, making the album stand out apart from the rest.
Brothers David and Peter Brewis formed Field Music back in 2004 in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. They would have the occasional guest keyboard appearance by Andrew Moore along with other artists as well. Through the years, the group has become popular and applauded for their authenticity within the Brit-alternative scene, bringing true musicianship to the genre with artistic soundscapes. Flat White Moon is the group’s eighth studio album following slightly over a year later than their 2020 release Making a New World. These albums are not the only projects Field Music has been a part of, the group has been a part of a few compilations and soundtracks as well as live records.
The first single to come off the album is their song “No Pressure,” which has a very Dire Straits “Under Pressure” type feel. Kicking off the song is a funky and thick bassline that catches the attention right away, quickly followed by the drums. The music video featured for the track is a fun “tutorial” on how to make a Field Music type song. It gives a step-by-step idea on how to piece a song like this together. The brothers have stated that this track is fueled by the troubled political climate of the time, pointing fingers at those in charge that do not take responsibility for actions and issues while the rest pick up the slack.
“Not When You’re In Love” is a swirling song with punchy, striking piano and a vast landscape of harmonies filling each ear with a different layer. This song has The Shins whimsy that is felt within the vocal tone along with the airy harmonies in the distance. Throughout the track, it has a relentless striking with all elements from the piano to the vocals that seems to not let up and continues to convince and persuade in its subject, only allowing time to breath when it ends.
Like the rising beginning of an ‘80s sci-fi movie, “Orion From The Street” has a rising distorted synth that comes in then explodes into a shimmering mass of showering twinkling notes. The song stays true to its title, giving it a beautiful celestial atmosphere that makes one feel like they are floating carefree in space. Throughout, a dry bassline punches through with moments of lush mini solos sprinkled here and there, and as the song comes to a close, it is joined with moments of strings flowing in.
A highlight track of the album is “Invisible Days,” as it is a fun magical song with a children’s song type playfulness. It starts simply, with just a chopping guitar and a thin walking bass in the background with whimsical vocals. Once again, each ear is filled with a different harmony with sudden changes of taking the song from full ensemble to bare basic with just guitar and vocal.
Less than a year after their 2020 album release, Field Music once again truly delivered with their latest album Flat White Moon. The record is filled with beautiful, funky soundscapes brought on by swirling synths and punching baselines. Flat White Moon is the perfect definition as to why Field Music, through the years, has been applauded for its artistic creations within the Brit-alt/indie rock genre.
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