Live Review Unknown Mortal Orchestra continue a summer of blistering form at Latitude 2015
Their inherent pop weirdness gets a leg-up from a blinding third album, and near-perfect sound.
As far as concept albums about polyamorous relationships go, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s latest record ‘Multi-Love’ takes the biscuit for causing infectious, fiesta-flavoured mayhem. Today on the BBC Radio 6 Music stage, Ruban Nielson and co. bring ounces and ounces of the stuff to Latitude.
It’s the title track from the Portland band’s recent record that stands out tallest. Those cranky piano licks, and uneasy, staggered drums combine over rich steely melodies to conjure up cosmic space-pop of a stratospheric order. Hitting a different, more strutting stride, ‘So Good At Being In Trouble’ from the band’s 2013 second album ‘II’ slinks into life, and the cavernous tent can barely hold the rapid-travel sound - it’s that crystal clear.
UMO are not-so-quietly crafting themselves a reputation as one of this summer’s best festival bands, and their wily, off-centre new record is the main factor responsible. Amping up the inherent weirdness of the band tenfold, and striking clean and stealthily like a pop dart, Unknown Mortal Orchestra are in blisteringly good form.
Photos: Sarah-Louise Bennett.
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