Public Service Broadcasting’s new album is based on themes of space exploration and scientific advancement popularised in the modern zeitgeist. While it lacks the energy and variety of their debut, its appeal lies in the coherent message of hope that is woven throughout.
It is an optimism that is characteristic of the retro-futurist rockers, who embed dialogue from old British Film Institute footage into their own compositions. The difference is that now there is a bittersweetness as they reflect on the history of space travel. They create moving soundscapes to echo the anxiety and anticipation of initial space flight.
This allows them to capitalise on their sample-heavy style. The nervous build of trance song ‘Sputnik’ is complemented by similarly anxious news reports, which makes the pay-off in the funk celebration of ‘Gagarin’ much more rewarding. They emulate the delight felt internationally when the Russian cosmonaut of the same name became the first man in space and remind us of the attraction of interstellar journeys.
Unlike science fiction authors who depict the future to tell their stories, PSB recount narratives from our past. But like great science fiction, this album reminds us of why we reach for the stars.
3.5/5.
