‘Just as any which selachian breed has but two default positions (swimming vs. slumber) Nielson is a creature of contrasts in that his body belongs to one epoch and his mind to another, with his songs split similarly between the bedazzling and the bafflingly expendable. And though one and one can combine to construct two, it’s high time these schizoid split essences came together for a consistently synergetic good…’
‘The notion of Ruban Nielson’s Unknown Mortal Orchestra being impeccable emulators of R&B is one that’s never quite sat right with my ears. Needless to say there’s no doubting the effervescent, and with that consistently excellent output from Nielson et al. over these past few years (whether the Velveteen jangle of Ffunny Ffrends, or the angular jaunt down the soulful slant of How Can U Luv Me, or the snappy pop hooks of Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark) which were recently adroitly recomposed by none other than Little Dragon) though the R&B terminology never quite rang with conviction nor the crystallinity of truth. Nonetheless So Good At Being In Trouble, the second track to be outed from UMO’s forthcoming sophomore, II, recalls the smoky sulk of the genre’s great pioneers and progenitors: musically smoother than Barry White’s backing band and smothered in a honeyed vocal that’s kinda like the cloying, alloyed nectar of Al and Shuggie it’s the ‘Orchestra’s most seductive recording to date and a goddamn auspicious indication of that which is to come early on next month.’
‘Towards the end of the third of four 2012 quartiles Portland, Oregon scuzz extraordinaires Unknown Mortal Orchestra unleashed Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark) – a preliminary peep into their now rather more imminent sophomore full-length, II. It was an ever airy, ramshackle amble of exemplary trashcan pop; a seamless continuation therefore of the eponymous début from the project concentratedly focussed about elusive NZ expat, Ruban Nielson. Here, though, it’s the turn of Swede electropop sensations Little Dragon to give the single a thorough slick and span. Their very own point of focus, Yukimi Nagano, is notably, and with that lamentably absent, though its remaining members blend bits of original material with synthetic whooshes and a natty, flattened kick drum as the whole thing effervesces to a tune that’s now intoxicatingly fizzy where once it were resplendently fuzzy. Energising as a much needed Berocca on a particularly groggy morning, it’s something of an unprecedentedly consummate redux and one that’s undoubtedly worth dipping into posthaste.’ II is released February 4th, while UMO play Cargo that very next night.
‘With the passing of each and every year, Camp Bestival edges ever closer to perfection and whilst adversaries falter economically; organisationally; hopelessly you sense Rob and Josie have enough plans and pioneering strategies in the brain bank to perpetuate these unspeakably Good Times for decades to come. All it’s cracked up to be and immeasurable amounts beyond, is and was this one.’
Losing count of how many unforgettable weekends Rob da Bank has lavished on us now, and this year’s Camp Bestival down in Dorset was no exception. Highlights both multitudinous and multifarious came from Chic & Hot Chip & Henry Rollins & Little Dragon & Jenny O…
