On their latest studio album Daughter expand the musical palette with beautiful songs of love and longing. I’ve always admired bands who take their time in producing their work, not counting the video game soundtrack Music From Before The Storm, it’s been seven years since Daughter’s last studio album, Not To Disappear.
In that time members of the band have moved cities/countries, recorded solo albums (the wonderful EX:RE record sits as a recent favourite of mine) and have slowly curated this wonderful collection of tracks.
The trio Elena Tonra, Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella wrote and recorded in Bristol, London, San Diego, California and Vancouver, Washington. Taking their time and bringing in different influences from different places has clearly worked for them as this record strikes a chord immediately.
Moving on from the internal sadness of the 2013 debut, If You Leave we have a broader sense of where the band are at. Stereo Mind Game is a leap forward, a longing to be held and to be loved and to erase distance. Opening with a grand ‘Intro’ that greets us with a warm soul it bleeds into ‘Be On Your Way’ a song Tonra wrote about the struggles of being far away from someone you’ve made a connection with. It is a wonderful opening to the record, drawing you straight in.
‘Party’ follows, about trying to keep cool, trying to swim whilst everything and everyone seems to be sinking. It builds on the struggles of being human, I love how the song flows, the chords are driven, and the vocals whisper along yet are full of vibrancy, it is Daughter at their absolute best.
‘Swim Back’ has an Animal Collective feel to it, driven along by incredible musicianship and with string arrangements by The 12 Ensemble, it is one of the highlights of the record. “I just need to erase distance” sings Tonra, as the song flows over a shoegaze river, the themes of love and missing someone deeply, are clear.
‘Future Lover’ dreams of being contacted, being needed, is there a future for us? “Sweet nothings from the ghost in the room / get so heavy when I think of you” lying awake at night waiting for that phone to light up. It is a modern love story wrapped around a dreamy drum loop. ‘Isolation’ continues this theme, the odds being stacked against two people being in love, always waking up whilst the other is still sleeping. It sounds and feels like a dream, with the outro bleeping into the distance.
‘To Rage’ does exactly that, rage, but does it delicately. It breaks floors, walls and hearts whilst remaining exquisitely crafted. It lifts any gloom and brings a feeling of real peace to the record despite the dark lyrical content. ‘Wish I Could Cross The Sea’ closes the album with Radiohead-like intensity, recordings of children’s voices blend in the background as a swarm of violins take flight. It is the perfect footnote to end the album.
Now a decade into their career Daughter have honed their craft to such a rich extent I find very few artists to be their equal. Stereo Mind Game should see them lift off into the stratosphere but I have a feeling the band would rather stay grounded and let deep emotion rather than fame do the talking. If you’re missing someone you’ll feel every note, every lyric, but don’t let that deter you from listening, more bring it close to your heart and own the aching within. Daughter understands the pain but they, and Elena Tonra in particular, also understand that hope is important. Just breathe and let these songs consume you.
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