These New Puritans : Hidden
released on Domino
reviewed by Genna Al Tai for GBH.tv
After listening to Hidden, it becomes apparent that These New Puritans like to draw inspiration from just about anything. Whether if it’s Wu Tang Clan or Aphex Twin, this band isn’t afraid to find muses in unlikely places. Apparently The Smurfs even had an impact on their last album, Beat Pyramid. Whatever keeps you going.
Anyway, this band is consisted of those types of people who can find beauty in just about anything. Though their name might suggest that their Puritanical, they’re quite the opposite. These New Puritans aren’t afraid to stray from the norm and are a breath of fresh air.
These New Puritans are an art rock band from Southend-on-Sea, England consisting of members Jack Barnett, George Barnett, Thomas Hein, and Sophie Sleigh-Johnson. When it comes to the London music scene, TNP have a special place along with bands like The xx and British Sea Power. Before their Beat Pyramid, These New Puritans were major players in the underground London club scene and played at places like Experimental Circle Club and Dirty Hearts Club.
Hidden could have been a complete failure. Luckily enough, the album pulled through and it’s brilliant. One of the best things about Hidden is that it could mean anything. Unlike other bands out there, These New Puritans don’t stuff meaning down their listeners’ throats. You’d figure that with seriously tainted lyrics like “no longer human, you are a weapon” and “my words evaporate” that they’re trying to expose the depressing truths of modern day. Yet, it doesn’t sound morbid at all.
With the power of their slightly psychedelic music, the songs can be interpreted in any which way. Most of the tracks on Hidden are riddled with heavy beats and are almost completely void of guitars. On top of this excitement, TNP decided to add in a whole lot of complicated brass and woodwind instruments just to really amp up the hallucinogenic feel that Hidden seems to exude. Barnett and company add in some pretty obscure sound effects like the sound of clashing swords in “Attack Music” and repetitive, yet haunting lyrics in songs like “We Want War”. It’s nothing you wouldn’t expect from experimental art rock, but it lacks all the cheap thrills that other musicians like to throw in.
Hidden was released March 2nd in the US. At the moment, TNP are touring all of Europe with stops everywhere from London to Rome, but no sign of a North America visit as of yet. To all of those outside of Europe: get on a plane to Rome and check them out.
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