The second offering from Wild Nothing, the vehicle for songwriter Jack Tatum following 2010’s bedroom masterpiece Gemini is pretty much what you’d might expect from the Virginia based solo artist. That's to say anyone who's familiar with Tatum's debut would have hoped for more of the same yet more polished.
With a producer and with access to more instruments it's exactly that. With his new toys (well, synths, sequencers, effects pedals and a live drummer) Tatum is able to experiment a lot more in the studio - and now touring with a live band will have to write enough parts to keep new band mates amused. This is visible straight from the start as opening track and first single 'Shadow' even has a string section. Similarly, while previously relying on very basic drum loops the inclusion of a live kit also gives the songs some real guts. There are sequenced drum machines throughout many of the tracks but these are punchier and mixed across the stereo spectrum gives a dimension Gemini lacked.
Yes, the influences are obvious (My Bloody Valentine, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths etc), but there’s something quite refreshing about Tatum's dream-pop/new wave throwback sound. While Nocturne may appear bereft of an immediate hit - 'Only Heather' and in particular 'Paradise' - which features some rather nimble Smiths style bass playing do a pretty neat job, the album is more mature and a real grower. In fact Paradise just might turn out to be Tatum’s 'How Soon is Now?'
Though Nocturne isn’t as immediately gratifying, and perhaps even as consistent as Gemini, its real strength lies in the sonic feel each track creates - somewhere between laid back fashionable dream-pop and late 80s/early 90s indie.
Whereas Gemini’s fillers were often little more than a couple of looped riffs which were pasted together, they were nonetheless riffs which most songwriters would kill for. However, this time around one might occasionally find themselves reaching for the skip - at first (The Blue Dress, Rheya). But don't let that deter, give it a little time. Nocturne is a certainly a more mature outing - a definite grower that enhances Tatum’s reputation as one of indie-pop’s most talented songwriters.
Key tracks: Shadow, Only Heather, Paradise, Counting Days.
