Villagers
Fever Dreams
[Domino]
Ever since their debut Becoming a Jackal, Villagers have solidified themselves as a cornerstone of Irish music. Warm indie folk wrapped in flowing orchestral instrumentation is once again the basis for their newest release Fever Dreams. The lessons learned from their experimental fourth album The Art of Pretending to Swim are brought forward onto Villagers’ fifth album which feels like a gentle reminder of their importance on the Irish scene.
A wobbly interference effect acts as an introduction to the opening tracks. Once you’re on the same wavelength, Villagers invite you to close your eyes and travel along with them into their dream world. Jubilant trumpets paired with layered blissful vocals, electronic is sprinkled in as you journey through the album.
Joyfully peaceful, Fever Dreams offers a hand to bring you away from the world and help you escape. Transportation of the highest degree, the beaming crescendos blend with the chaotic moments of rock. Cacophonous walls of music rear their heads and make the record more complex, not shying away from the nightmare territory that lurks in any fever dream. Blushing in the face of unpredictable, yet comforting, escapism, Villagers craft an unusual but needed record. Tenderly pushing boundaries, Fever Dreams is a reminder of Villagers’ developing and exciting journey. Sophia McDonald
“Villagers craft an unusual but needed record. Tenderly pushing boundaries, Fever Dreams is a reminder of Villagers’ developing and exciting journey”
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lead image: Rich Gilligan
