Tilbury‘s second album Northern Comfort was released towards the end of 2013, soon after our interview with lead singer Þormóður Dagsson (see here) and around the time of the band’s triumphant performance at Iceland Airwaves. Until now, we didn’t get chance to write about this perfect platter. So let’s address that now.

This is as good a time as any after all, as it coincides with the recent release of a new video for ‘Cool Confrontation’. The band members are once again depicted as animated versions of themselves (the first album artwork also featured different illustrated beings, created by Hugleikur Dagsson, who also did the artwork for the second album). For this new video, this time it is Sölvi Dúnn Snæbjörnsson who is responsibe for conjuring up this cartoon world.

Strange imagery yes. But that is all good. And it complements the band, with its quirkiness and undercurrent of darkness. There is a familiar air about the tracks on the album (released by Record Records). It is reminiscent of the debut record, with the same vocal tone that is calm and comforting. Yet the dark undertones in these melancholic pop songs still rein high.

Melancholic pop songs

Dramatic narrative is interwoven with musical craftsmanship. The album opens with the moody beats of ‘Deliverance’ and ends in the slow disco groove of ‘Transmission’ (one of my fave tracks). In between, there is a slew of subtle synth sounds that start slowly, building in their dramatic instrumentations, with ‘Animals’ having a more floaty, catchy chorus. ‘Northern Comfort’ (the first single) begins stronger, chuggier, as does the penultimate track ‘Great Expectations’, to create a memorable sonic vibe.

Northern Comfort as an album has the magical effect on me as the first Tilbury album did and I can’t wait to see the songs played live again. Let’s hope that the band gets tour in these lands soon.

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