release date: Sep. 13, 2024
format: vinyl (Lucky Dog41LP) / digital (9 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,96]
producer: Stuart A. Staples
label: Lucky Dog / City Slang - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: A) 1. "New World" - 3. "Nancy" - 4. "Falling, the Light" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "Always a Stranger" (4 / 5) - "The Secret of Breathing" - 3. "Turned My Back" (4 / 5) - 4. "Soon to Be April"
14th studio album by Tindersticks following 3½ years after Distractions (Feb. 2021) is as usual produced by songwriter and front-figure Stuart Staples, who is credited all songs, two tracks (#A4 and #B4) are co-composed with bassist and keyboardist Dan McKinna.
From scratch on, it's evident tat Soft Tissue goes in quite a different direction than the electronic bits suggested on the predecessor - except for the drum-programming heard on track #2 "Don't Walk, Run". These eight / nine songs - the vinyl issue comes with eight tracks, the digital with a ninth bonus track "New World (Edit)" - are kept at more normal running lengths varrying from 3:35 to 6:15 mins, but whats most striking is a strong dominance of strings - making it a characteristic chamber pop album. And then, when strings are not dominating the single arrangement, keyboards either hold focus with a sound of an accordion or a Wurlitzer piano, or an organ is often taking a leading stance. Perhaps with the exception of track #B3, which is a soul-like chorus-based warm side-step, the songs are arranged in quiet, simple, and mellow tones. Ordinary drums are not hardly heard throughout the album - instead, there's either subtle jazz-like percussion, glockenspiel, bells, or bongos.
Overall, it's once again an album where Staples' narating and haunted vocal dominate the picture, but it's done with delicacy and that neccesary variation that makes it all so much more appetising.
As with the 2021 album, cover art is credited Staples' daughter Sidonie Osborne Staples.
Again, Tindersticks deliver a solid and strong collection of songs.
Recommended.
