Broken Bells – ‘Into The Blue’ – Mowno

Album / Awal / 07.10.2022
Pop

In Italy, in the province of Bologna, there is a word that is not used anywhere else: ‘umarell’. The locals use it to describe the grandfather who, beret riveted to his head and his hands behind his back, spends most of his time contemplating construction sites and other constructions in progress, nodding his head. The analysis of the wise old man – who inevitably masters the knowing air and the sidelong gaze like no other – very often boils down to a simple and peremptory ‘Needless to say, it’s a good job which makes it so rich. The third long format of Broken Bells will awaken the easy-complimentary umarell that lies dormant in all of us. Because, it must be admitted, Into The Blue, it’s a good job. Damn good job, even.

Rare are the artists who, without ever making a pact with the devil, manage to reconcile mainstream and goldsmithery. N*E*R*DThe Neptunes or daft-punk, obviously, are the first names that come to mind. The Pet Shop Boys, even if it makes the purist scream, could also be mentioned. Not including Broken Bells in this list would be an unforgivable failure. James Mercer and Brian Burton are indeed most certainly the only ones today, with perhaps Tame Impala, to be likely to federate as much. To make vibrate, on the same common ground and on an equal footing, those who are fully satisfied with the playlists of the FM band and the demanding enthusiast with (sometimes) sectarian choices.

Finding, after eight years of absence, the duo formed by the leader of The Shins and the alchemist Danger Mouse is a pleasure that cannot be ignored. After The Disco (2014), closer to a wet firecracker than fireworks, had somewhat frustrated all those who, in 2010, had succumbed to the charms of an eponymous debut album close to perfection. It was therefore impossible for anyone to see the mountain again give birth to a mouse. Requiring from the two pyrotechnicians a sound and light show worthy of the Ruggieri brothers therefore proved to be the only possible option after such a long wait.

Our pious wishes have been granted. Subtle and airyInto The Blue can be heard like the dreamlike soundtrack of a film that has not yet been shot. James Mercer, Christlike and close to breaking, never sang so well as on the falsely stripped Invisible Exit. We can even imagine him very well, arms outstretched and eyes closed, familiar with the angels on the incredible symphony We’re Not In Orbit Yet (undoubtedly the most beautiful piece of the year). One Night and the single Saturdays will recall the best of the group at its beginnings. The wobbly rhythm of Forgotten Boy will give the furious desire to listen to the essential Endtroducing… of DJ Shadow. To our great surprise, the grandiloquent Love On The Run and his endless Pink Floyd-like solo will even succeed in making us love the unacceptable. The Chase and Fade Away, placed at the end of the disc, will reinforce the idea that Danger Mouse is undoubtedly the greatest producer or director – because that is how he sees himself – of his generation. A modern-day Midas that tturns everything it touches into gold, as the recent Cheat Codes recorded with Black Thought. Without reaching the heights of the unsurpassable LP Broken Bellsthe timeless and sublime Into The Blue must nevertheless be considered a masterpiece, not to say essential.