Demob Happy

Laptop pagan folk – what else?

6/10

Although the term ‘Folktronica’ seems to be used entirely as a derogatory term now, it is a useful word to help describe this album, which is a fairly literal fusion of folk songwriting and the glitchy textures of electronica. Unfortunately, it is the songwriting that lets the album down. The sub-Wicker Man pastoral imagery is contrived and unconvincing, and the atmospherics of the production do not realise this as poignantly as, say, the Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man album ‘Out of Season’. There is something of the Beta Band on some tracks, but ultimately this is a very mediocre folk record embellished by some tricksy production. That said, there are a couple of fine moments. The title track ‘Mother’s Daughter’ builds on some heavily distorted vocal sample and ominous murmerings with plucked strings and crunchy beats before the rather sinister vocal refrain (‘Float on the Water, Time will tell if you’re your mother’s daughter’) kicks in, hinting at some unwholesome pagan activity. ‘People Folk’ is less English in texture, and reminds me in a nice way of Morphine (the band, that is). Thereafter, ‘Out The Window With The Window’ is the highlight for me, even if it apes The Books with its spectral voices and cut and paste acoustica. Elsewhere, the album is perhaps a little slight and formulaic, relying heavily on the current revival of the Wicker Man as a musical reference point but ultimately lacking in substance.