In the way back of 2007, U.K. music critics were talking about a revival of the nineties Midland ‘Madchester’ sound as ‘neo-baggy’ in albums like The Klaxons’ Myths of the Near Future (QRO review) and The Twang’s Love It When I Feel Like This (QRO review). That neo-sonic revival never really came to be, and The Twang evolved to embrace their emotional positivity on follow-ups Jewellery Quarter and 10:20 (QRO review). NEONTWANG sees the band make neo-baggy their backbeat, not forefront, and build on it.
After the positivity of their last few records, a relatively darker air hangs over much of NEONTWANG. Opener “City Lights” questions that urban neon, while ominousness shades “The Wobble” and “Step Away”. However, there are brighter tracks as well, like the lovely “New Love”, catchy cheer “Almost Anything”, and sweeter sway “Bigger Than You”. After the sometimes too sunny prior releases, the leavening of the sunshine is a welcome aspect of NEONTWANG. It could have used more of the pressure behind “Larry Lizard” and “Step Away”, but only because those are two of the best tracks on the album.
Whatever ‘neo-baggy’ was or was meant to be, The Twang have evolved from it, without forgetting it.
The Twang – Larry Lizard
