Doves’ music has stood the test of time. Today, they stand as legendary purveyors of catchy melancholic tunes. An impeccable sound still charming 25 years after the release of their seminal 2000 debut ‘Lost Souls’. The Manchester trio – formed of Jimi Goodwin, plus brother Jez Williams and Andy Williams – have long held a curious position in the British indie world since. Poster boys for ‘00s indie they were not, but that hasn’t stopped them gaining three number 1 albums and a list of radio-friendly songs as long as your arm.
After taking a near decade-long hiatus after 2009’s ‘Kingdom of Rust’, Doves returned in 2020 with the much-acclaimed ‘The Universal Want’. The following five years have been anything but smooth sailing. Cancelled tours due to frontman Jimi Goodwin’s mental health struggles and subsequent personal problems threatened the band’s very existence. But they’ve survived to tell the tale. The fruits of this period are now heard on ‘Constellations For the Lonely’: a poignant and raw alt-rock sixth record carrying a strong emotional pull, fractured qualities and sonic exploration.
Of course, none of this background noise detracts from the music itself. ‘Renegade’ was our first taste of the new album back in November and offers a vulnerable starting point. Inspired by Blade Runner, it paints a dystopian landscape using images of a futuristic Manchester to set a tense opening note. A distorted single piano note eerily carries the song, while Jimi’s voice is raw, pristine and reflective on darker times: “And If you could only see what I’ve seen…with your eyes / Then you’ll know that everything expires”. An introduction bleak, anthemic and nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Following this is ‘Cold Dreaming’, a track best described as a “slow burner”. Jez and Andy share vocals (as they will do again in their upcoming tour without Jimi) in a psychedelic-soul twinged track exploring themes of anxiety and forgiveness through the means of cinematic Northern Soul. The change up works nicely – albeit with a colder (and more nasally) vibe than we’re accustomed to and taking a couple of listens to land a blow.
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As we approach the mid-point, a meandering psych-rock vibe then leaves the listener on the edge of their seat. For starters, the dreamy guitar work on ‘Strange Weather’ float us into the clouds, eventually blasting the song into space (the synth keys bring ‘Lonerism’-era Tame Impala to mind). A similar sound is then carried into the excellent ‘A Drop In The Ocean’ where a funky riff and propulsive percussion make for a dizzying highlight.
Impressively, Doves maintain the first half’s quality into the second. A luscious mix of swirling strings, mandolins and 60’s Scott Walker-esque atmospherics match impassioned balladry on ‘Last Year’s Man’. Meanwhile, there’s a heavy glimmer of light on ‘Stupid Schemes’; chirpy guitars countering Jimi’s weary lyricism (“be careful of their stupid schemes, be careful of their liberties…”).
And this positive tone continues into the folk-rock of ‘Saint Teresa’ – a sublime track packed with religious iconography and as rousing a chorus as you’ll find here. To finish, ‘Southern Bell’ brings echoes of early Fleet Foxes autumnal folk, before a mid-point twist which has Jimi arriving for a vocal swansong filled with lyrical hopefulness (“you’ll never be alone again/Now you’re here with me my friend”).
‘Constellations for the Lonely’ is an intricate and masterful record from a band at the top of their game. Still a familiar sound for old fans to enjoy, yet still open to exploring new terrain. Doves have faced their personal difficulties over the years and used album number six as a means of catharsis. In turn, they’ve delivered not just one of their best albums but one of the best you’ll hear this year.
9/10
Words: Matthew McLister
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