It's been five long years since I interviewed Los Campesinos!. They're back and are giving away an appropriately melodramatic free download to preview their forthcoming November album, 'Hello Sadness'. The aforementioned download, 'By Your Hand', is a bit good and hence a promising sign for the new record. Download the track below.
I haven't kept up especially well with LC! and until I saw the video to the new track, I hadn't realised they'd done a bit of a Sugababes and the line-up is now considerably different to the original. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is up for debate yet reading up about Ollie's departure was particularly cheerless. Hello sadness, indeed.
There still remains a characteristic flavour to LC! though, mostly attributed to Gareth's longing vocals and melancholic lyricism as well as their overwhelming indie-pop swell. I think it's a good flavour. Like raspberry ripple. Check it out yourself below, and download away should you choose.
The video's also pretty ace - I award Rob and Kim joint-best-haircut - although as mentioned before, it serves as an overt reminder of the missing band members. And while the track and album may be more about the break up of two individuals, I feel the sense of majestic heartbreak also stems from the loss of the original members. Or maybe I just miss them.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Los Campesinos! - By Your Hand
For more details on the new album and forthcoming tour dates, head to the official website.
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