The new album from Leeds band Drahla opens with a song that will make some of you think we're back in 1980 or so. "Under the Glass" roars and clatters with real throwback appeal, even as the trappings suggest a youthful embrace of past subjects of study. The majority of angeltape is of a similar mindset, and it's one of the best things Captured Tracks have put out in a hot minute.
There are a bunch of folks who've tried this sort of thing, but Drahla have the conviction and -- most importantly -- the chops to pull it off. "Default Parody" is a messy, cacophonous song, one which another band would not think of sullying with a saxophone solo. Drahla do, and the instrument serves as a neat punctuation to the guitar noise, and a nod to past pioneers like Lora Logic. Elsewhere, "Talking Radiance" adds nuance to the chaos, with Luciel Brown modulating her formidable vocal instrument to suit the slink of the song.
So much of why angeltape succeeds is down to Luciel Brown's vocals. Drahla's overall sound on this record has a certain resonance to the second, criminally underrated Long Blondes album from a few years ago. On that one, Kate Jackson swaggered a path through the past that plucked bits of early post-punk and New Wave to stitch up a fresh sound. There's no denying that lots of angeltape owes debts to The Au Pairs, Gang of Four, X-Ray Spex, and so on. What makes it work is that Luciel Brown has the conviction and attitude to give this some life. While there's a certain sameness to some of the sonic attack here, Brown does her best to steer things in interesting directions. Older heads may find lots of this very familiar in stylistic terms, but they -- and younger listeners -- would be well advised to grab this one as it's invigorating on its own terms, and highly recommended.
angeltape by Drahla is out now via Captured Tracks.
[Photo Drahla and George Brown]