thu 05/12/2024

CD: My Bloody Valentine - m b v | reviews, news & interviews

CD: My Bloody Valentine - m b v

CD: My Bloody Valentine - m b v

Over 20 years late, the sonic voyagers return to put the pretenders in their place

My Bloody Valentine's 'm b v': a return that recalibrates diluted notions of who they are

It’s not much of a surprise that My Bloody Valentine have eventually followed up 1991’s Loveless. They’ve been playing live with increasing regularity, with the same line-up as back then. The way the new album has arrived – with no warning via a new website – isn't so surprising either. Despite the widespread co-opting of their sonic template, what is surprising is how much m b v sounds like My Bloody Valentine.

Being confronted with the real thing is a jolt, putting the pretenders in the shade. m b v is as beautifully opaque and seductive as Loveless, sounding like nothing other than Kevin Shields’ vision. His time in Primal Scream and his work with Patti Smith have had no impact. Both restatement and reclamation, this return recalibrates notions of who the band are, and it's a belated reminder that there’s nothing like the real thing.

The first three tracks could slot into Loveless, although the momentary, curt guitar solo on “Only Tomorrow" brings a new angle. Instead of subsequently finding cruising altitude, m b v dives off elsewhere. After "Who Sees You”, third up, abruptly stops, “Is This and Yes” warps the most ambient side of The Beach Boys' Smile. Its shifting patterns and wordless vocals could be a soundtrack for lying on a scudding cloud. From this point on, m b v takes on a new intimacy. The stuck groove repetition of “Nothing Is” (which could potentially stretch out live) aside, a softness defines this more mature, less agitated, happier My Bloody Valentine. “New You” even nods towards a Saint Etienne-like popiness. Stereolab come to mind too. Yet the closer, “Wonder 2”, still jars as it climbs and climbs.

There’s a caveat though. m b v is, for now, only available as a download (this review came after burning the download to a CD). It was recorded in analogue and meant for vinyl. The album version ships to the world on 22 February. Only after that will the m b v envisaged by Shields reveal itself. Until then, then.

Visit Kieron Tyler’s blog

'm b v' is beautifully opaque and seductive, sounding like nothing other than Kevin Shields’s vision

rating

Editor Rating: 
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

Share this article

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters