SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

THE BOY NAMED IF ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE IMPOSTERS HHHHI

The Boy Named If features songs about the juddering, hormonal transition from childhood to adulthood – based loosely on the idea of having an imaginary friend who “you blame for the hearts you break, including your own” – and is accompanied by a book containing illustrated short stories expanding on the songs.

Costello delivers some of his fieriest music in years and his voice, coarsened by age, only makes his reflections on youth more poignant. This is most clear on Paint The Red Rose Blue, where he conjures up a bereaved couple over plaintive country rock.

In these songs, Costello is telling stories about people and places but it would be easy to draw parallels with his own transition into manhood – and stardom.

FRAGMENTS BONOBO HHHHI

The British musician, real name Simon Green, returns with his seventh studio album Fragments, which provides more upbeat tunes interwoven with his typical dose of pensive soundscaping.

There are collaborations with a range of up-and-coming artists including Jordan Rakei, US singer Jamila Woods and London-based producer O’Flynn.

Most of the tracks wash over the listener in waves with warm and gentle melodies yet others are underlaid with harsher, heavier beats and synthesised sounds.

Otomo is a standout, flitting between sequences of driving basslines and moments that are almost ethereal and the album is nicely curated as listeners are guided smoothly through what is an overall excellent sonic experience.

FIX YOURSELF, NOT THE WORLD WOMBATS HHHHI

Yet again, the Wombats have smashed it, producing music that has their familiar punchy beats, but also a new twist.

The lyric ‘What a crazy pranged out year’ from one of the headline songs, Everything I Love Is Going To Die, represents the album perfectly.

Lyrically, this album feels somewhat more significant as it reads as a self-intrusive look into the pandemic.

The band still manage to leave you not quite knowing what they’re talking about half the time, while still enjoying yourself.

Another absolute win.