Wild Nothing - Nocturne (CD, Vinyl LP)

Wild Nothing a.k.a Jack Tatum returns with his newie on Bella Union entitled ‘Nocturne’. With ‘Gemini’ being such an unexpected, out-of-nowhere style hit I was curious as to how he’d fare with the follow-up. All indications so far suggest he’s doing rather well thank you.

‘Nocturne’ explores Tatum’s passion for all things ‘80s and pop in the indie underground with renewed vigour taking steadily more ambitious steps to outright, purest POP! I mean some of the stuff on here sounds like it was produced in the ‘Tusk’-era paradise of 1979. This is especially apparent on ‘Nocturne’ that sounds like Buckingham and Nicks jammin’ with Japan! To me it sounds beautiful but who knows, might be a step too far for some. I’m still impressed by how Wild Nothing and the likes of Real Estate (who certainly must be, in some way, an influence on Tatum) have managed to recycle this hi-end chart busting ‘80s pop style so effortlessly. Those kind of records used to cost a frickin’ fortune to produce and now all the kids are doing it in their bedrooms! Happy dayzz.

 ‘Nocturne’ is filled with a fantastic blend of soft synth adoring, money grabbing, mad ‘80s hair-pop songcraft and purest shoegaze/dream-pop wonder. The obsessive attention to detail is certainly apparent in the use of string orchestration, flamenco guitars, Johnny Marr-isms, blissful soft pads and softly wondering vocal harmonies. I mentioned it in my review of the ‘Shadow’ but this really hits on territory Washed Out should be fully exploiting. The gentle breezy mix of ‘80s obsessed indie pop and Ford & Lopatin-esque programming make thoroughly impressive bedfellows.