The Horrors : 'Primary Colours'
Possibly the most controversial act to have sprung from London’s band-ridden streets, The Horrors return with a much lauded second album and seemingly managing to avoid much of the petty sniping that was aimed at them in the run up to their debut, “Strange House”.
Having spent much of 2008 locked in a studio in the depths of Hackney, the band upped to Bristol to record their year’s endeavours with Geoff Barrow, of Portishead notoriety. The results? They bear testament to the bands broad range of influences, their ability to adapt and, above all, a level of maturity that shines through in their songwriting that was perhaps absent first time around. The album has a feel of being much more a product of determination, influence and a burning desire to move forward and create new sounds. Expect to see: critical acclaim and old fans departing in droves as they fail to understand the underlying concepts of this record, one of the finest albums to be released by a UK band in years.
As per the rest of society, I was introduced to the new record via the digital release of first single, “Sea Within A Sea”, which marked a huge change in sound of the band whilst, eerily, retaining similar levels of energy and style, a take on their genre from a completely different angle if you will. A very minimalistic opening, with hauntingly melodic vocals, gentle bass rhythms and quietly pulsating melodies before, midway through, beautiful synth lines drop and the intensity builds to a peak before quietly looping itself into nothingness. Eight minutes, seemingly gone in three. While this is almost certainly the albums peak and closing song, do not be fooled into thinking that this means that the preceeding tracks are merely filler leading up to a moment of majestic clarity. No, this is a much more a complete piece of music than “Strange House” and deserves the effort required to get the most out of it. Second single, “Who Can Say” is a piece which revolves around rumpling distorted bass, scuzzy guitars and a glorious lead synthesised melody. A bizarre contrast maybe, but one which is pulled off with such apparent ease that you wonder what the future has in store for our ears… the potential is quite, quite large.
Following on, “Do You Remmeber” takes us through an odd mixture of atmospheric, post-rock guitars and bass dirges. “New Ice Age” has elements of the more abstract and ambitious moments of “Strange House” about it while “Scarlet Fields” contrasts against it wonderfully by being very much a piece of “Primary Colours”, all calmness, quaint melodies and gentle bass. “I Only Think Of You” is a seven minute progressive love song that passes in no time at all before “I Can’t Control Myself” picks up the levels again and grooves through scuzzy bass lines and Tom’s multiple electronic loops. Then, the title track wraps things all up in a brilliant three minute pop song, leaving “Sea Within A Sea” to close the album in all its understated brilliance.
Partly a world apart from their debut, yet partly rooted in its influence, “Primary Colours” develops into more than the sum of parts becoming a truly great British album. Taking us on a ride from the 70’s surf rock that so influenced “Strange House” through the ambient drone of Throbbing Gristle and the melodic electronica of Kraftwerk, this is one of those rare records that not only demands your attention and attains it, but also deserves it.
Words: James Hoste
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