Released: 14th June
Label: Brainlove
For those that have never experienced the music of Pagan Wonderer Lu, this may be a difficult couple of hundred words. For, unless you have actually heard the head scratching blend of erratic DIY electro and palatable indie, it is somewhat difficult to put it into words. (Actually, that wasn’t half bad.) Yet, get to grips with this often challenging marriage and a new musical revelation is unearthed. Amidst it’s quirks and quibbles. European Monsoon is a weird and wonderful joy.
Self dubbed as “Indietronica”, Lu, real name Andy Regan, traverses the normal and the absurd in a matter of seconds. With the opening of maiden track “Banish Negative Thoughts” comprising clashing electro squeals and echoed vocals, its inaccessibility is instantly evident. Yet, get over this somewhat intimidating baptism, and simple charm begins to shine through. The lyrics are quirky and honest, the melodies likeable and catchy. Perhaps this is more than just some mad experiment…
With titles including “God In His Infinite Wisdom And Passion Spares The Mona Lisa From Being Engulfed By The Dying Sea”, you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise. But with a lo-fi feel and an allegoric quality to the lyrics, it belies its oddball billing to become a truly charming track, complete with a rousing string accompaniment.
As with “Self -Doubt Gun”, a plodding but likeable jaunt, and choral-esque epic “Version 5”, it is apparent that Regan more than knows what he is doing. For all his erratic gesturing and experimental verve there lives a sound musical understanding, one that he puts to great use. Indeed title track “European Monsoon” proves a fully functional success, electronic pulses and a catchy chorus abound.
And this is the mastery of European Monsoon, and indeed Pagan Wander Lu. By blending the simple and the simply mental, he stretches the boundaries with music to captivate the imagination. Like a post graduate student wearing multi-coloured flares and a top hat, it is eccentric yet undeniably well educated.
Words: Dan Grose
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