Public Service Broadcasting "Every Valley" (2017)

Its been a couple of years in the works but the London based trio Public Service Broadcasting are back with another unique work of interest revolved entirely around the decline of the coal mining industry of Southern Wales. The outfit bring together gleaming atmospheric Post-Rock and soft guitar grooves with subtle electronics for their own brand of calming music that straddles the lines between the forefront and background of your attention. Its a sweet spot to operate where their unique sampling of the archives of British Pathe archives creates an artistic, nostalgic and retrospective narrative for the music to revolve around. This topic couldn't of been more fitting for them.

Instrumentally the record may in some ways seem unremarkable. There is a lack of upfront immediacy or urgency in the compositions, with exception to the alarming, danger ridden "All Out" that plays like a climax of violence. Its mostly laid back, chilled out and generally a soothing experience for the listener as soft melodies and licks resonate of one another. Its in their choice of sampling and guest vocalists that the record comes to life. Under the spell of gentle, peaceful music the stage is set for deep thought as the vocal snippets of miners, union workers and community members tell the tales of their perceived wrong doing, sparking the mind into reflection. Although its focused around the mining strikes of the 80s and the industries demise in general, there is much to be taken away from the wisdom and truths that emerge, perhaps with some intentional parallels to our modern times.

A significant change in approach is the inclusion of guest singers who I suspect may have ties to the history of the coal miners, given native Welsh singing on one track. There traditional singing changes the format somewhat and the women's soft effeminate voices are far more suited for the environment and mood of the record than the males singers. Its a strange quirk but the two men just didn't seem in place with the music. The album itself starts strong with powerful themes and musical ideas however "All Out" is a turning point it never recovers from. After that fiery affair the record fizzles out as its unwinding of intensity looses its ability to captivate. The first half is fantastic however, the second seems to stretch what was initially a bright and welcoming chemistry.

Favorite Tracks: The Pit, Progress, All Out

Rating: 6/10

Public Service Broadcasting "Inform Educate Entertain" (2013)

 Thanks to Brady and his Youtube channel Objectivity I was introduced to this fantastic musical project that takes stock audio from national archives and uses it alongside instrumentals to create a retrospective peak into the past using music to guide the mood and narratives of times gone by. Behind the name are two English musicians, Willgoose and Wrigglesworth who have been playing together for five years now and have released an EP and two full lengths, of which this was their first.

An interesting observation to make clear from the get go is that nothing here feels "nostalgic". In the same way Kraftwerk envisioned aspects of society both in the past and future, PSB feels like it "takes you there" more than it does remember it. The electronic leads, dense atmospheric synths and brooding indie guitars build up rocking atmospheres dripped with developing leads that continually grow and interchange with one another in a big layered sound that balances its density carefully.

Each song revolves around a set of samples the instrumentals correlate with. For example "Signal 30" is the records most "aggressive" sound with big distortion indie leads taking charge of the track, strumming out burgeoning riffs while archive samples play out sounds of cars crashing and an aggressive chap who's annoyed at a motorist. It may not be the best example but the chemistry between the two works on every track. Despite this the instrumentals could easily stand on their own.

The record has fantastic production. Each track may start with a few gentler shades of sound, but quickly the melodies and layers build up and a flood of sound heads towards the listener, peaking the songs in the big moments that often end the songs. The initial attraction to this project was its concept, but the writing and composition has revealed itself to have much class and depth that can be enjoyed without the samples context. A strong record that will continue to grow on me I'm sure.

Favorite Songs: Inform - Educate - Entertain, Night Mail, Everest

Rating: 7/10