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A Brighter Beat is Malcolm Middleton's first release since the demise of the delightfully dour and dark Arab Strap. I loved Arab Strap but knew I had nothing to fear from them calling time on their career. See, Middleton has already released two remarkable LP's worth of soaring , heartfelt music whilst still in the Strap. Now he can unleash his muse full time on his solo career. Well it's got to be a good thing.
Oh boy, this doesn't disappoint. Opening with a nagging guitar riff and strident piano playing, a blast of sunshine into a pale winter's morning. The interlocked instruments dissolve into a glorious finger picked melody before the drums crash back in and the riff seems to have doubled in size. It's a full minute before Middleton's Falkirk heavy vocals appears and he utters "Now you've gone and left me".
This may sound like an opening to some kind of blues lament, but it is instead a call to arms for the heartbroken. This is top drawer pop music with a dark undertow - go and seek it out.
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