DOVES: CONSTELLATIONS FOR THE LONELY
5 years on from their hugely successful number one album ‘The Universal Want’ (2020), Doves are back with their sixth studio album ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ - which follows the widely anticipated singles ‘Renegade’ and ‘Cold Dreaming’, not mentioning the news of frontman Jimi Goodwin stepping back from touring duties.
After announcing their come-back record, hit single Renegade was released into the world, detailing the dystopian presence that pollutes society today - looming over our every move. To Mancunian fans listening, many will resonate with the imagery described throughout Goodwin’s lyricism - the glooming, gentrified screens surrounding Piccadilly Gardens ‘selling dreams’ and fictional realities to us all. To be the single that signifies their comeback, Renegade is the perfect example of just how brilliant this album is.
The feel of the record perfectly follows their previous body of work ‘The Universal Want’, which similarly shares the same incredible production and experimental instrumentation that ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ encapsulates so well. Whilst it’s rare to see band’s take a hiatus from the mainstream with such experiments and risks - Doves are the perfect example of how this is done well. With the record’s second single being ‘Cold Dreaming’, listeners are greeted with the voice of Jez Williams (twin brother of drummer Andy Williams) in place of Jimi. To seasoned fans, the voice of Jez will not be foreign within a Doves track - however within the new album, it is largely refreshing to experience two such talented voices bouncing between each other throughout the record.
Furthermore, tracks like In the Butterfly House and Stranger Weather continue this dystopian conceit, which pollutes the entirety of the record. The instrumentation of these tracks are to the same high standard that Doves have carried throughout the entirety of their discography. The talent and musicianship on show is second to none, and with it being their first body of music in 5 years, Constellations For The Lonely really does not disappoint - to fans both new and old. A Drop In The Ocean further displays the incredible vocals of Jimi Goodwin, displaying the talent he has once and will continue to be known for.
However, one of the highlights of the record comes in closing track Southern Bell, which sees drummer Andy Williams lead the vocals at the beginning of the track, before the inevitable takeover from Goodwin, with buttery smooth harmonies from both twins accompanying him in due course. The track is the perfect example of just how brilliant Doves are as a band. One minute they can be filling your ears with largely progressive, psychedelic soundscapes, yet in the next they can teleport you to a world of peace and somber with delicacy and minimalism. There really is nothing this band cannot do.
Without the presence of beloved frontman Jimi Goodwin, Doves have just begun their UK tour in support of their album campaign - bringing every corner of the country the beautiful sounds of Constellations Of The Lonely. Despite the tour largely being a sell-out, if you are lucky enough to grab a last minute ticket - I greatly urge you to. To miss the live comeback of this band would be a tragedy.
TOUR DATES
Tue 25 Feb – Glasgow, SWG3
Wed 26 Feb – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
Thu 27 Feb – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
Sat 1 Mar – Leeds, Beckett SU
Sun 2 Mar – Sheffield, Leadmill
Tue 4 Mar – Liverpool, O2 Academy
Thu 6 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
Fri 7 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
Sun 8 Mar – Birmingham, O2 Institute
Mon 10 Mar – Nottingham, Rock City – Limited tickets
Tue 11 Mar – Norwich, Waterfront
Thu 13 Mar – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Fri 14 Mar – Bristol, SWX
Sat 15 Mar – Southampton, Engine Rooms
Mon 17 Mar – Brighton, Chalk
Tue 18 Mar – Oxford, O2 Academy