Describing their new record as “an exercise in self-confidence” Kagoule are back with their follow up to 2015’s “Urth” with a more focused and refined version of the sound they’d previously displayed.
“Strange Entertainment” (out now on Alcopop! Records) was produced by MJ Hookworms and the band have spoken highly of his work and input on the album. Burns commented that “Working with MJ was great. He understood where we were coming from and instantly knew we didn’t want to be balls out rock music – he put forward some great ideas for the songs and his input made a big difference to the record.”
After the band ran out of money during the production they were forced to sit on the album for a year before they were able to cobble the funds to get the album mixed. However, they managed to nab Tarek Musa (Spring King), who the band had previously toured with, to mix the album.
Burns stated that the wait was positive as “Tarek did an amazing job working with something he hadn’t recorded himself. We’d recently been on tour with Spring King so I think that really helped him know what to do with it sonically.”
It’s a weird, almost abrasive effort, tipping their collective hat to 90s shoegaze post-punk and early 00s indie garage bands, but with a little effort, it’s a rewarding listen.
The initial feeling is a mish mash of half-baked ideas, but go back to it and it just kind of…fits. Even vocalist Cai Burns admits the drumming is “straight up weird”, but the bass groove and familiar sounding riffs (I swear there’s one track that sounds almost like Elvis Costello’s “Pump it Up”) all work to give off a low key, DIY vibe that stands out without being too off-putting.
It feels like a guitar record written on a synthesizer, and although you may not find any outright singalongs in here, there are moments that stick in your head. And with the band off on a tour of the UK next month, they’re well worth checking out.
You can catch them at the following dates:
Oct 31st – Leeds – Wharf Chambers
Nov 01st – Manchester – The Eagle Inn
Nov 02nd – Liverpool – EBGB’s
Nov 03rd – Nottingham – Rescue Rooms
Nov 07th – Margate – Tom Thumb Theatre
Nov 08th – Brighton – Prince Albert
Nov 09th – Portsmouth – The Loft
Nov 10th – Southampton – Heartbreakers
Nov 11th – Bristol – Rough Trade
Nov 19th – London – Moth Club
