Tunng/ And Then We Saw Land

Tunng
And Then We Saw Land
(Full Time Hobby)

Considering the title of this record and the fact that the band recently spent extra curricular time with Malian bluesmen Tinariwen, the promise of an exciting foreign jaunt hangs over the fourth LP from London folktronica outfit Tunng.
And from the off, we're at sea; "when I see land/you will conjure up a storm" promises opener ‘Hustle’, which bustles along on plucked banjo and electronic squiggles, setting the album’s hat at a jaunty angle.
This fine record is also adept at keeping the home fires burning; ‘October' feels distinctly reminiscent of the UK folk scene, with a tune faintly reminiscent of ‘Scarborough Fair’ and the estuary-flavoured vocals of Becky Jacobs lending it a touch of the olde worlde. By contrast, the record also features a modern ambient electronic edge, and makes great play of such contrasts. So alongside acoustic instruments you get Kraftwerk-style synthetic percussion rhythms.
All of this builds into something quietly but resonantly powerful, telling various tales of travel and return. From this evidence, we're certainly glad that Tunng came back.