Five years between drinks, Sea of Approval is the follow up to 2009’s We’re Too Young, an album so distant in memory and different in content many fans may not even be aware of it. Sea of Approval is a rebirth for Bull in many ways, there’s less piano and a more synth-pop feel than on his debut or his well-known Phantom Pains EP.
Singles Keep On Running and Baby I Am Nobody Now were released close to a year before the album was even recorded and became firm favourites with many. The latter is about as close to tragically beautiful songwriting as you can get while maintaining perennial pop perfection status. Talk Too Much is the latest single and keeps the rich vein of form going.
Other tracks aren’t all as radio-friendly. Bull himself said fittingly that the album, like life, is not all up; there’s slow songs here as well. He’s right, and these slower tracks are some of the real highlights. Closer So That I Can Feel Better is haunting in its resonance. Loved Like You is rich in atmosphere and texture as well as being incredibly layered. That’s constant across the whole album. Each listen discovers new elements, making it clear how painstakingly well this labour of love has been crafted.
Once in a while you hear an album of this quality. Every spin is a pleasure and getting your hands on a copy should be your main objective this week.
BY ALEXANDER CROWDEN
Best Track: Baby I Am Nobody Now
If You Like These, You’ll Love This: JACK’S MANNEQUIN, HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY, WASHINGTON
In A Word: Spectacular
