DIAGRAMS – Chromatics
aaamusic | On 24, Dec 2014
Sam Genders has trodden an unusual path since his days as lead man with pioneering robo-folk outfit Tunng. Walking away from a successful band to teach at a local primary school, he dedicated himself to an unlikely profession that led to the resurrection of his confidence and happiness…
Under a new nom du plum, Diagrams, he has released his second LP, Chromatics and it is very, very good; at times sublime. Genders has created something special here, and it thoroughly deserves your undivided attention.
At first listen, this is a catchy, likeable and contemporary pop album. Soaring vocals and a jaunty whistle saunter through opener ‘Phantom Power’. Dreamy xylophones and bells generate a blissful ambience on ‘Shapes’ and there’s a throw back to the care free days of Brit Pop in the guitar strumming intro to ‘The Light And The Noise’.
But there is darkness lurking and closer inspection reveals menacing, often forlorn lyrical content. “She speaks in a whisper/crushing the future” Genders sings on ‘Desolation’. “I can see the creatures underneath your skin/like worms that burrow into your soul” is the disturbing chorus to ‘You Can Take Me’ and it becomes clear that the upbeat vocal style and tunes are just a veil cast over something far more sinister.
Tales of mythology and sci-fi heroes sit next to laments to lost youth. A shattering piano break on ‘Brain’ and a haunting morse code intro to ‘Chromatica’ add to the gnawing tension before a brutal, shuddering end to album closer ‘Just A Hairs Breath’ leaves us with a sense of sudden bereavement.
But as with Tunng, Genders juggles conflicting tones with a deft skillfulness. Whimsy is a powerful weapon in his armoury and he deploys it with brilliance. As serious existential crises and epic adventure are all tackled with wit and a smile, Diagrams link arms with us and prove a reassuring guide through the fascinating adventure that is Chromatics.
Fans of Genders’s past work will no doubt see Chromatics as a superb entry into his canon whilst those new to his material will embrace it as a hugely dynamic record. Pop hooks and sweeping soundscapes, combined with an engaging, often bleak narrative make it almost impossible to look away. This is a brilliant album that will certainly go down as one of my records of 2014.
