The Vinyl Word on... Californian Soil
FINALLY! - new music from U.K. band London Grammar! Can someone please explain the concept of time for me; how has it been 4 years since their previous album?! One of my highly anticipated albums of 2021 ‘Californian Soil by English indie band London Grammar arrives and it is everything I wanted and more.
I accidentally stumbled upon this band not long after their debut album ‘If You Wait’ came out in 2013 when my mate was listening to them on the Bus and he recommended them to me, ever since then, I have had a love for Indie music particularly, London Grammar. Hannah Reid, the lead vocalist for the band brings something that not many artists have, do not ask me what it is, I have not a clue, I just know it is beautiful and I could listen to it all day long.
The album, although keeping up with the unique London Grammar sound, differs from their previous releases ‘If You Wait’ and ‘Truth is a Beautiful Thing.’ The 12-track album released through Ministry of Sound is said to deal with the themes of Feminism & Fame by saying:
“This record is about gaining possession of my own life. You imagine success will be amazing. Then you see it from the inside and ask, ‘Why am I not controlling this thing?’”
You can hear this throughout the album, what else you can hear on the album, which is a common thread between this and previous releases, is the haunting vocal especially on the track ‘All My Love’. This literally blew me away. Honestly, as good as the album starts, it continues to grow momentum, the B-Side to this record is incredible and I have not said that about many albums this year.
I have not had the privilege to see London Grammar live, but with the composition of these tracks on this album, it would make for an incredible live show.
There was only one album release that gave me feels like this one, and that was Notes on a Conditional Form by The 1975 last year, and yes, that album is still on repeat today so I am sure I’ll have Californian Soil on repeat this time next year too.
I am just hoping we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the 4th album and if you had to ask me to say something about this album in 5 words of less, it would be GO BUY CALIFORNIAN SOIL NOW!
These are the melodious musings of our man Ronan Dunne.
Californian Soil is available on CD, Vinyl, Colour Vinyl and Deluxe Vinyl at goldendiscs.ie and in all Golden Discs stores nationwide
