Friendly Fires - Late Night Tales

This year there have been Late Night Tales contributions from the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Metronomy and more, and this particular installation, the 30th in the series, comes from disco trio Friendly Fires. An eclectic mix, there are three parts to the compilation; a beginning filled with massive disco anthems, a middle with understated house, and an ending that exudes melancholic slow burners. And, not only do we get this selection of songs, but it features a guest star, Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch. He serves as a vocal watermark of sorts, interjecting at points and announcing, ‘you’re now listening to Late Night Tales’. We get to hear more of his voice at the end of the mix, as he reads what he says is the first in four parts of a story called ‘Flat Of Angles’, about someone living in the New Cross area of south-east London.

Although there is such a wide variety of styles here, the transitions are seamless and make sense within the context. As a whole, this Late Night Tales feels like the musical interpretation of being on a great night out and the consequent comedown, knowing you have to go home and get up early for work the next morning. Right in the middle of the mix is Friendly Fires’ own output; a cover of Eberhard Shoener and Sting’s ‘Why Don’t You Answer’ featuring their signature harmonies with Ed Macfarlane’s falsetto, a repetitive beat and samba drums.

The first third of the compilation makes a lot of sense, as you can hear the disco influences of where the band’s sound originated. However, their recent statement that they intend to experiment more is nodded to with the inclusion of Melody’s Echo Chamber, whose own album was produced by Friendly Fires’ Kevin Parker. While the first two-thirds are indicative of how their sound originated and developed, the final part is possibly an indication of where their sound is headed.

Friendly Fires have been relatively quiet since the release of second album, ‘Pala’, so despite this containing no new material it’s a reminder that they’re out there and could - or could not - be making long, experimental jams for us to hear at some point.