The Catenary Wires

★★★★ Birling Gap SKEP WAX. CD/DL/LP

A portrait of Britain in turbulent times.

On this third album, Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey explore the complexities of what it means to be English in a post-Brexit/Covid landscape where cosy nostalgia is filtered through societal anxiety and the realisation that we’re all growing up and growing old. As usual, the pair’s songs tap into the bittersweet pop melodies and duetting harmonies of their previous bands – Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, Tender Trap – but now expanded to a five-piece with Fay Hallam, Ian Button and Andy Lewis recruited from their live band. Their magnetic sound is consequently richer now and embellished with muted horns and warm Hammond flurries. Kinksian vignettes capture the various moods of the nation; idealistic (Canterbury Lanes), romantic (Mirrorball), xenophobic (Cinematic), arrogant (Three-Wheeled Car). Intelligent, thoughtful, beautifully realised and produced – by Andy Lewis – this is quite possibly the best thing Fletcher and Pursey have done to date.

Lois Wilson