Four years after the release of My Maudlin Career (which would ironically become their most successful and polished album to date), Scottish indie-pop troupe Camera Obscura have returned with a brand new body of work. It comes just in the nick of time too, as its sun kissed sweetness fits in perfectly with the warmer, soulful climate of summer.
Due to a number of sleepy tracks included on the album, you’ll notice quite quickly that Desire Lines is far from the band’s most direct, immediate or engaging release. That’s not to say, though, that the album isn’t a solid, enjoyable listen — very much so. If you’re familiar with the sound they’ve established over the last twelve years, then album number five shouldn’t surprise you in the slightest. However, unlike numerous others who stay within the parameters of safe song making, Camera Obscura have a wonderful knack of sticking to what they know without delivering diminishing returns. They’re quite simply masters of the subtle melody, and even the tracks that don’t immediately stand out will weave their way effortlessly into your eardrum.
Whether combining glistening guitar riffs and Tracyanne Campbell’s hushed, sweet vocals at the forefront of their compositions or underpinning them with dreamy string work and gentle piano tinkering, Camera Obscura have again managed to squeeze an awful lot from very little. Both in its slower moments and when it has more spring in its step, Desire Lines radiates brightly due to the band’s ability to structure, compose and execute with poise and precision.
We might only get a new record from them once every few years, but when that record clicks effortlessly and creates such a warm and uplifting atmosphere, the delay can be easily forgiven. It might not be crashing into top ten lists come the end of the year, but right now, the world feels a little bit better for having Desire Lines in its circulation.
