"I still remember very fondly the
first SDUU record, released in 2008. I initially dismissed it as a twee
little thing but soon came to warm to its playful and delicate
folktronic wonder. Eight years later the duo of mutli-instrumentalist
Keiron Phelan and vocalist/electronicist moomLoo are charming me all
over again.
This, their second album, is sometimes cheerful and bright. There's the glorious 'Millwall', which skanks its tale of gang culture over an 'Uptown Top Ranking' beat. 'Dragon Song' has a friendly roar on it. But, more often, the mood is a kind of introspective hope. 'Butterfly Morning', 'Dance With The Silver' and 'Took By Crows' are subtle, teasing songs. Think of a slightly weepy Astrud Gilberto on a carousel.
If you don't like saccharine then there won''t be enough spikes in this record to satisfy you. But if you enjoy tinkling rain and sweetly-intoned vocals, 'Smile Down Upon Us' has you covered with its captivating quietly progressive ethos.
This, their second album, is sometimes cheerful and bright. There's the glorious 'Millwall', which skanks its tale of gang culture over an 'Uptown Top Ranking' beat. 'Dragon Song' has a friendly roar on it. But, more often, the mood is a kind of introspective hope. 'Butterfly Morning', 'Dance With The Silver' and 'Took By Crows' are subtle, teasing songs. Think of a slightly weepy Astrud Gilberto on a carousel.
If you don't like saccharine then there won''t be enough spikes in this record to satisfy you. But if you enjoy tinkling rain and sweetly-intoned vocals, 'Smile Down Upon Us' has you covered with its captivating quietly progressive ethos.
