by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Kate Stables and her band return with a fourth album, their first in three years. It is described as chronicling ‘a world of mistakes and mishaps, cruel circumstances, and universe-driven surprises. It’s a record that embraces the concept of outrospection – the idea that you get to know oneself by developing relationships and empathic thinking with others’. Lyrically the album looks at how to navigate change, and how we respond to it.

Realising the production is Gruff Rhys, who has at his disposal a surprisingly large ensemble, deftly used.

What’s the music like?

Softly compelling. Stables has a voice that draws the listener in, and because she sings clearly it is easy to relate to her thoughts. This is especially the case on the single Inside Outside, whose paired lyrics raise as many questions as they do answers. Similarly, Take You To Sleep, with its insistent vocal line and rippling guitar, has tension between the contradictions in its lyrics.

After these questions, More Change has a spring in its step, but is also playfully furtive. “If we hold hands, will anybody see?” asks Stables. Her voice is sweetly toned in the upward looking Scabby Head And Legs, a refreshingly straight talking number beautifully dressed by Rhys.

Then comes the title track, stripped back and revealing, seemingly set in a quiet room catching the light at the end of the day. Stables sings of ‘only just surviving’, but there is still resolve in her voice as the dappled light plays tricks in the arrangements.

Doomed Or More Doomed is a questioning number, Stables raising her voice to the sky, Rhys’ arrangement rich in colour. Stuck In A Room is also questioning, fretful even, before Stables lowers her voice for Dibs, a thoughtful coda.

There are some lovely production touches overseen by Gruff Rhys, such as the open air brass that cast their thoughts on Goodbye Bite halfway through, or the fluttering saxophone solo that breezily closes off Take You To Sleep.

Does it all work?

It does. Stables has the ability to draw the listener in to hang on every word, and while some of the music here is elusive, hers is a thought provoking vocal. The instrumentation is beautifully shaded to complement her unique voice.

Is it recommended?

It is – fans will take to it immediately, while those enjoying songs that are introverted and cryptic yet full of personality will find a great deal to enjoy here.

Listen

Buy