The Underground of Happiness

A marvellous album of kosmische pop from the Mancunian... ...in which the meaning of this word kosmische is front and centre. That’s to say, the album deals with existential concerns - the meaning of the moves we make, the dances we do, who we are and why we are here on this funny old planet. Nowhere is this clearer or more poignant than on the intoxicating lead single ‘Slow motion’ which opens with these immortal lines (as close as I can make out). In this landscape we are fading shiny particles and shadings what’s continuous and clearer through the skies like a science fiction inner monologue drifting out to space. And then I want to feel the life we left in the sun while the synths swoop and dive. It’s an exquisite moment of yearning and nostalgia and of feeling for the universe and it’s amplified even more in the context of the other songs. The thrilling motorik beat of opening song ‘HAK’. The beautiful Sadier-esque vocal rounds of ‘Did you see...

Glorious kosmische pop music with a motorik pulse from the Manchester artist. There’s a beautiful weave to the synth lines, a carefree quality, a cavort suggesting the tumble of the universe somehow. But it’s Weaver’s voice that crowns the sound. Close and persuasive – let’s go outside when it doesn’t feel right / we can disappear – it uses simple elegant phrasing with an endearing down to earth tone which has a hint of world weary about it. The effect of this simplicity againt the thick swoops of cosmic backing is to make a strange atmosphere. Like the best science fiction, it says otherworldly but still recognisable. The arrangement is a dream of serene space, inner and outer. A sumptuous cut.

A string of great female singers and musicians on the show this week. Camille , making a fountain of milk sound like the lightest, breeziest, most intriguing thing in the world and not a bit sticky and messy. Love those banks of backing vocals too. New music from Jane Weaver , gorgeous kosmische with a dreamy melody and a raft of vintage synths. Weyes Blood , who as we all know is magnificent; Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble sounding breezy and Brazilian and uplifting as ever amidst the chaos. Both of those women playing Ireland soon. And some classic library music from Stringtronics , taken from the 1st Connectors compilation (pic) by Barry 7 of Add N to (X) . More on these pages. The Underground of Happiness uplifting pop music of every creed www.theundergroundofhappiness.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/theundergroundofhappiness Twitter: UndergroundOfHappy Playlist 440 Tues Mar 28 2017 11.00am-12.00pm (repeated on Tuesdays 8.30pm) UCC 98.3FM list...