I loved Twin Peaks when it came out, watching it religiously (alongside Northern Exposure – which could be a blog post in its own right) throughout my early twenties. Not only did the plot keep me enthralled, but the music did, too. That widescreen sound, full of synth and guitar layers that mirrored the writing, all designed to pull you in deep to try and make sense of what you were watching and listening to.
This is what I think of when I think of The Luxembourg Signal’s second album, Blue Field. Building from the remains of the band, Aberdeen (from California, not Scotland), The Luxembourg Signal not only continue with the place-name-as-band-name theme, but also the melodic and indie dream pop jangle with guitar fuzz overtones. There’s a lot going on. (It even has a song called Laura Palmer.) It’s all texture and mood on this album, melodic and expansive.
However, while they started with a more shoegaze sound their music has evolved with Blue Field, their second album, which was released in 2017. Opening track, There’s Nothing More Beautiful Than A Well-Made Machine sets the scene, although as the album goes on so do the nods to Ride and Slowdive deepen, particularly on tracks such as the aforementioned Laura Palmer, and short instrumental Slow Delayed Heart. This, though, is not a negative. In fact, that ‘shoegaze’ word is no longer (thankfully) seen as derogatory. This is atmospheric indie pop at its best. Think of artists like Cloth and Kathryn Joseph as much as those 90’s stalwarts.
The title track is something to savour, as this seven-piece band creates the sort of song that wouldn’t go amiss soundtracking your journey to a summer festival, or the early morning hours after you’ve broken up with your long-term partner. It’s one for many different occasions, which is surely nothing but a good sign. Bop around to it, or wallow: it’s still the kind of album that burrows into your ear and hooks itself into your consciousness. Partly this is the vocal talent of Beth Arzy, partly the angular guitar riffs and glistening arpeggios of Johnny Joyner and Kelly Davies.
There is that filmic quality, always present. It’s this that truly defines the album, and much of The Luxembourg Signal’s output before and since. The fact that their sound could be from 30 years ago or 30 years into the future says a lot. Futuristic Retro as a genre anyone? And while the tempo doesn’t shift much, you still get a sense of momentum building to a climax. By the time you get to the final song, What You’re Asking For, you might feel both cleansed and pure – and like you’ve watched an unsettling TV crime series and need the perfect cup of sweet tea to reset your nerves.
A bit like watching Twin Peaks.
Of course, though, like each and every Unspun Hero, Blue Field deserves your attention. Listen to the album at The Luxembourg Signal’s Bandcamp page.