Constellations

The Moulettes return with their third studio album, and their first for Navigator Records, 'Constellations'. The album features a host of guest performances from legends Arthur Brown ("God Of Hellfire"), Herbie Flowers (Lou Reed/David Bowie) and contemporaries Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets), The Unthanks and Emma Richardson (Band Of Skulls). Brighton dub troubadour Faye Richardson and dubstep producer Dface complete a supporting cast that emphasises the band's desire to blend musical styles and experiment with sound in a way that has been a hallmark of their recordings to date. Thus 'Constellations' crosses varied and expansive musical territory over its ten tracks. As founding member Ollie Austin notes, "People can listen to Moulettes and hear Shostakovich, Miles Davis, Pentangle, Pink Floyd, Bjork and Skrillex. That is where we've all come from… everyone shares in over 80 years of recorded music history".

'Constellations' contains the headrush pop folk of 'Glorious Year', the psycho-drama of the title track and the noir trip hop of 'Lady Vengeance' in an opening salvo that is unlikely to be matched in scope by many, if any, albums released this year. An album criss-crossed with stories and imagery, 'Constellations' can accommodate the 20's belle époque waltz of 'The Night Is Young', the progressive folk of 'The Observatory' and the death disco dub of album closer 'Keep It As A Memory' whilst remaining a cohesive piece that sparkles with inventiveness and creativity throughout.

Few bands have the scope of The Moulettes. Containing classically trained members who have played alongside the likes of Mick Jagger, Nick Cave, Seasick Steve, Bonobo and Dave Gilmour, their significant initial period was spent playing live and promoting the Den Of Iniquity nights in London that brought a host of acts to public prominence. After seven years of being a live band it was only in 2009 that their eponymous debut was released. This was followed in 2011 by 'The Bear's Revenge', an album that saw MOJO hail them as "complex and beautiful… intriguing and unique".