Despite snagging a Mercury nomination, C Duncan’s first full-length release, ‘Architect,’ flew under the radar a little. Its cocktail of intricately-woven melodies and delicate instrumentation was universally well-received by those who heard it, but it ultimately failed to grab the attention of a wider audience. The Scottish artist’s follow-up, ‘The Midnight Sun’, may not solve that problem, but it does cement Duncan’s status as a master of musical craftsmanship.
In many ways the two records are quite similar. Both are collections of ethereal, folksy material that pay a lot of attention to structure and form. But although they evoke the scene of a sleepy summer’s day in pastoral middle England, this follow-up mixes it up a little by turning the sky purple and the grass pink.
This is chiefly a result of Duncan’s decision to delve into the world of electronica. Other Side, with its pattering synths like Technicolor raindrops falling on wooden chimes, and Wanted To Want It Too’s espousal of synthwave sensibilities ultimately ensure the whole record is enveloped in an artificial, dreamlike haze.
Such musical experimentation doesn’t always work for everyone (even if it isn’t especially bold), but Duncan has managed to find a way to make it fit perfectly.
If there’s one downside to it, it’s that the record may feel somewhat amorphous on the first couple of listens. Few songs initially jump out, with many appearing to merge into the next. But, given time, the sophisticated nature of each individual track presents itself. Whether it’s the seamless transition of time signatures on the keyboard-driven Who Lost or the complex choral layering of opener Nothing More, the assiduous attention to detail will become apparent to the mutual benefit of the record and the listener.
Such careful consideration has clearly paid off as ‘The Midnight Sun’ is an album replete with hymn-like harmonies, lush instrumentation and well-crafted portions of electronica that all come together in a congenial way. The only downside is that it might not be heard by as many people as it perhaps should.
C Duncan Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed February 01 2017 - LONDON O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
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