The Radio Dept./ Clinging To A Scheme

The Radio Dept.
Clinging To A Scheme
(Labrador)

The Radio Dept.’s history is far too long to delve into here. Rest assured, however, that it features many excellent names that end in ‘son’, ‘berg’ and ‘gren’. In terms of pop names, this is good stock.
This Swedish troupe have been known to synthesise their noisier tendencies with a lush melodic bent, and Clinging To A Scheme sees them do so perhaps more than ever. Similarly, few guitars are heard for the most part – it’s more a collage of orchestral keyboard imitations (a good thing), splattered beats and the occasional spoken word sample.
The dream-like plod of ‘Never Follow Suit’ would never have held the listener’s interest in lesser hands. It is testament to their deft ability to create focus and interest from the most subtle of musical elements. Likewise, ‘A Token Of Gratitude’ actually draws from very little – a throb of guitar and the occasional melodic idea.
Most of the magic comes from Johan Duncanson’s measured vocals (told you they had good names), an essential daubing of humanity across the cold, machined instruments. In sum, whether they're tackling riotous funk or crawling through spectral pop, The Radio Dept. are incapable of making it sound boring. Joyous, heavy and delivered with beautiful ease.