The Light That Shines On Everyone: A Quick Review Of The New Album From The Soft Cavalry (Rachel Goswell of Slowdive, Mojave 3)

I'm glad that I had help with this review as I think the dual perspectives of myself and Stan Cierlitsky offered here should allow both old fans of Rachel Goswell's work -- those who, like Stan, are big fans of Mojave 3 and Slowdive -- and recent devotees -- those who, like me, think that the most recent Slowdive album, from 2017, is likely the best thing the band has ever recorded -- to come to some conclusion about the merits of the debut album from her new project. The Soft Cavalry is Steve Clarke (Rachel's husband) and Rachel Goswell, along with assorted musicians -- keyboardist Jesse Chandler (Mercury Rev, formerly Midlake), guitarist Tom Livermore, drummer Stuart Wilkinson, among others -- and the band's new album, out on Friday via Bella Union, is a superb record, no matter from which angle you choose to hear it.

The first half of The Soft Cavalry should feature enough familiar moments -- that swoon at the end of the opening line on lead single "Dive", for instance -- to please long-time fans of both Mojave 3 and Slowdive, even as, overall, the sound here edges closer towards the Slowdive end of that spectrum. Astute listeners will even liken Steve Clarke's vocals here to those of Neil Halstead in those bands, as well as in Neil's Black Hearted Brother project. "Bulletproof" is even better, a percolating New Order-ish beat anchors this one, and, it's worth noting, that the video features sign language from Rachel Goswell in honor of her own son who is deaf. The cut is buoyant and lively, and, ultimately, exactly the sort of thing that will win over lots of fans approaching this long-player with hesitation since it's not an official Slowdvie release.

"The Velvet Fog" sees Steve stake out a deliberate melodic-line, even as Rachel's contributions to the song suggest something a bit more euphoric. The track is, for me, one of the highlights of The Soft Cavalry, echoes of Kate Bush and The Verve oddly rubbing shoulders here as the melody soars. Elsewhere, "Never Be Without You" is a great pop single, with music reminiscent of the songs of The Radio Dept., and vocals from Steve Clarke that are similar to the vocals of Johan Angergard (Club 8, Acid House Kings). This selection seems like a natural single, and one can hope that fans of Rachel can appreciate what sort of stylistic changes she's capable of, and the sort of indie-pop Steve Clarke can conjure up.

As The Soft Cavalry progresses, things go in other directions, with the Beach Boys-by-way-of-High Llamas-rock of "Only In Dreams", a number that also owes huge debts to Talk Talk and Pink Floyd, and the Radiohead-like "Careless Sun", though this track is a good deal warmer and more accessible than Yorke and co. can be at times. And while the hook of "Spiders" feels vaguely unsettling to me, the tunes of "The Light That Shines On Everyone" and "Home" are even better. The sort of thing that Noel Gallagher keeps trying to write, the songs are helped by Steve Clarke's deft touch, and Rachel Goswell's subtle vocal contributions. And while there are faint hints here of Super Furry Animals -- think "Mountain People" in "Home" -- the elegant "Mountains" is the real stunner here on this debut from The Soft Cavalry. The sort of beautiful ballad that echoes those found on side 2 of the superb final album from The Boo Radleys, this cut is breathtaking. With a faint, John Barry-like instrumental flourish, "Home" is exactly the sort of thing that will make many listeners of this record fans of Steve Clarke, the way they entered as fans of Rachel Goswell.

A record that's part reckoning with the huge specter of Slowdive, as well as one that's charting an entirely new path for Rachel Goswell, The Soft Cavalry is the sort of release that should please fans of Talk Talk, The Delgados, and Gruff Rhys. That it's a good deal more accessible than those bands in spots, while retaining a direct-yet-layered style, is what gives the LP such considerable appeal. I mean, you can approach this from multiple angles and really come away happy as an attentive listener.

The Soft Cavalry is out on Friday via Bella Union.

More details on The Soft Cavalry via the band's official Facebook page.

[Photo: Bella Union]