★★★☆☆
Sunderland rockers Field Music have always been singular in their knack for jangling melodies, edgy rhythms and interweaving vocals. Back for Commontime, their sixth album, brothers Peter and David Brewis do not leave this behind. If anything, they push at the peripheries of the indie-rock they have made in the past, with ironic album opener ‘The Noisy Days Are Over’ announcing anything but: this noise is here and now.
After taking four years off – both members are involved in various solo and side projects – their perspectives seem to have changed. Now both fathers, they talk about familial relationships in their music. In ‘Stay Awake,’ David sings, “And I’m sorry if I’m ever short with you – I don’t mean it”. Despite this domestic familiarity, the brothers are able to create an invigorating sound.
At times hitting at a more reserved, mature version of Vampire Weekend’s tightly crafted indie-pop, the duo recorded the album in spontaneous bursts over six months in their Wearside studio. This spontaneity is certainly felt: vocals are often soulful, but sometimes clashing; harmonies are often discordant but occasionally lush and full; melodies sometimes take the form of crooning saxophone jibes but, at other times, come from tinkering piano.
It seems they do have a lot of fun up in the Northeast, after all.
