“Look To The East, Look To The West” Camera Obscura
Indie pop from Glasgow, Scotland. The revered band’s 6th album, first since 2013 — and most importantly, first since the heartbreaking 2015 death of co-founder and keyboardist, Carey Lander, to bone cancer at age 33. The album recaptures the familiar Camera Obscura sound led by Tracyanne Campbell’s distinctive vocals, but also with more electronic layers such as drum machines and guitar effects — plus nods to Americana and classic elements such as pedal steel guitar and Hammond organ in places. It’s a triumphant ‘comeback,’ even though Lander’s loss remains irreparable. RIYL: Belle and Sebastian, Allo Darlin’ or the Magnetic Fields.
— Francis

Highly recommended: 2, 3, 1, 4, 10, 8, 7. No FCCs detected.

1. (5:14) Liberty Print — Starts light, chime-y and dreamy. Lovely, breezy vocals. Steps up to a nice bouncy pop tune with a great beat and bass-forward groove a little over a minute in. ****
2. (4:17) We’re Going To Make It In A Man’s World — Throwback sound with strummed guitar, pedal steel, piano and sweet harmonies. Wry, playful lyrics. Ode to female empowerment. ****
3. (2:58) Big Love — Lively, catchy country-flavored lead single. Captivating pedal steel guitar over thumping, march-like beat. Lyrics talk about looking forward rather than back. ****
4. (4:25) Only A Dream — Halting and sad piano ballad. Guitar tremolo effects with quavering vocals. Extended guitar solo. ***
5. (4:33) The Light Nights — Simple and sunny pop. Pedal steel woven throughout over a lightly tripping rhythm. Puts a smile on your face.
6. (3:41) Sleepwalking — Pensive and self-reflective. Showcases Campbell’s emotive, crystalline vocals over solo piano. Shimmering guitar layers added near the end.
7. (3:21) Baby Huey (Hard Times) — Electropop stroll. Swingy and swaying, with Campbell’s lilting vocals over a programmed drum beat and persistent synth bass. **
8. (3:34) Denon — Hooky baroque pop harkens back to the languid folk radio hits of the early 1970s. Organ and soulful guitar signatures in counterpoint. ***
9. (4:33) Pop Goes Pop — Evocative of the soulful pop of the late 60s and 70s. Swelling Hammond organ, guitar and intricate rhythm.
10. (3:42) Sugar Almond — Stunning ballad written as a tribute to Lander’s memory. Aching vocals over solo piano. ***
11. (4:26) Look To The East, Look To The West — Gentle, reassuring piano-led closer that builds as the song progresses. Harmonized lead vocals. Oboe in the lead break.