ALBUM STREAM: Europe
VIDEO: “Capricornia” (Dir. by Nik Vestberg)
The darlings of the international indiepop scene, Allo Darlin’ follow-up their critically acclaimed and hugely successful self-titled debut with their new album Europe. The London-based four-piece – led by Australian songbird Elizabeth Morris, with guitarist Paul Rains, Bill Botting on the bass and Michael Collins on drums – create perfect, sophisticated pop gems and know how to put on a joyous, effervescent, fun-filled live show.
Having built up an intensely loyal and ever-increasing fanbase, Allo Darlin’s reputation has developed at its own pace, from just one girl strumming a ukulele to headlining London’s Scala and touring all over the world. In their brief lifetime they have toured the USA four times, sold out tours across the UK, embarked on an epic five-week European tour and played shows across the United States. The band have been strongly supported by BBC 6music, recording several sessions including one at the BBC’s prestigious Maida Vale Studios as Steve Lamacq’s personal choice for BBC Introducing. Their self-titled debut was released to universal acclaim with plaudits including being named No. 2 record of the year by online retailer eMusic and a glowing 1,200 word essay by legendary Go-Between Mr. Robert Forster in the Australian critical magazine The Monthly.
Achingly personal, incredibly poignant and familiar all at once, Elizabeth Morris’ songwriting has deepened and developed since their debut, although they’ve lost none of their ability to create sophisticated, intelligent pop music with an uplifting, joyous feel. There’s a sense though that the feel of the new record, Europe, reflects the changes in the world since their debut in 2009 – with riots and protests across the globe and a deepening feeling of gloom, a carefree album didn’t seem appropriate. Singer Elizabeth Morris explains: “I wanted to make beautiful songs and end up with a beautiful album, not necessarily an album full of three minute pop songs… the songs have an awareness of a darker place but end up coming out the other side.”
Europe is chock full of memorable songs including the first single “Capricornia”, which conjures up the bleached sunlight of summer in the area from which Elizabeth hails in Australia. Then there’s the title track and next single “Europe,” a celebration of the togetherness that pulled the band through a disastrous tour of the continent last year, when noxious fumes in their tour van nearly put paid to them altogether. There’s the epic “Still Young”, the song that their friends The Wave Pictures refer to as their “Born To Run”, the wonderful “Northern Lights” about spending New Year’s Eve in Sweden and “Wonderland”, the last song written for the album and one of the band’s favorites. Perhaps the two best songs on the album are the ballads. If Elizabeth describes the extraordinary “Tallulah” as “probably the best song I’ve written”, then “Some People Say” runs it close for sheer, heartfelt emotion.
Gloriously catchy, brilliantly uplifting and charmingly intelligent, Europe promises to be one of the most exciting albums of the year, with Allo Darlin’ pleasing their existing loyal fanbase as well as winning over hoards of new admirers. The album is proof that Allo Darlin’ will be one of THE bands to watch out for in 2012.
“Terrific, witty and heartfelt, like a less moody Belle & Sebastian” – The New York Times
“That’s a useful prism for approaching Allo Darlin’, the best new group in recent years from a pop tradition that attempts to counter what its members might perceive as the market-corroded fantasy of corporate pop and the detached insularity of many underground records.” – Pitchfork
Tour Dates
all dates w/ The Wave Pictures
04/24 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
04/25 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
04/26 Washington, DC Black Cat Backstage
04/27 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
04/28 Atlanta, GA 529
04/30 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
05/01 Austin, TX Mohawk
05/03 Santa Fe, NM VFW
05/04 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
05/05 Los Angeles, CA Echo
05/06 San Diego, CA Casbah
05/08 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
05/10 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
05/11 Seattle, WA Vera Project
05/14 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
05/15 Chicago, IL Schubas
05/16 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
05/18 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
Allo Darlin’
“Capricornia” Single
(Slumberland Records)
Street Date: March 6, 2012
Formats: 7″/download
A: Capricornia
B: When You Were Mine
Allo Darlin’
Europe
(Slumberland Records)
Street Date: April 17, 2012
1. Neil Armstrong
2. Capricornia
3. Europe
4. Some People Say
5. Northern Lights
6. Wonderland
7. Tallulah
8. The Letter
9. Still Young
10. My Sweet Friend
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