Groovy, honest and innovative
Belle and Sebastian recently released a long-awaited album, Late Developers. They announced it only a week before the release date and surprised many fans who had been waiting for a new album for quite some time. This is a true indie-pop album as it combines retro and innovative vibes to create a cohesive album filled with honest, creative lyricism and melodies.
“Juliet Naked” kicks off the album in an upbeat way. With palm-muted electric guitars and the song is rhythmic. The voices and lyrics take center stage as the instrumentation sits in the background of the love story. Some intriguing synths come midway through the song to draw the listeners back in before the catchy melody begins again. The song is dark but intriguing, with catchy melodies and rhythmic instrumentation.
The third song, “When We Were Very Young,” is another somewhat sad-toned track, but the instrumentation is slightly less retro. It is filled with synths, guitars, bass and upbeat drums. Despite the upbeat instrumentation, the message is quite sad. They sing about feeling hopeless about the future and struggling alone. It is sad but honest, which will surely connect with listeners.
The next song, “Will I Tell You A Secret,” is a more laid-back track run by rhythmic guitar riffs. The song slowly grows as some rhythm and strings are added, but it keeps the relaxed sound for the entire track. It is the most relaxed track on the album.
The eighth track, “I Don’t Know What You See In Me,” takes an electro-pop turn. The instrumentation here is mostly echoing and encapsulating synths that ring powerfully as the vocals float over them. It is definitely inspired by the 80s pop anthems that are backed by synths. They sing about not knowing why someone wants to be with them, which sounds somewhat sad, but it is nonetheless a grateful and optimistic tone. It is a danceable happy track that mixes up the vibes on this album.
Finally, the title track, “Late Developers,” takes on a totally different sound as well. It has groovy tropical acoustic guitar chords creating a happy rhythm and vibe for the song. Behind the guitars is a cowbell that adds almost a steel drum vibe to the song. They sing about living life and not taking everything too seriously. It is an optimistic and uplifting way to end the album.
Overall, Late Developers, released by the beloved indie pop band Belle and Sebastian, is sure to be a success with its groovy rhythms and honest lyricism.
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