Anyone that has been following the Moulettes long enough will know they are band that thrive on being bold and progressive. Their last offering Constellations defied easy comparison, but then hasn’t all their music? They have a mass of musical talent at their disposal that draws from a deep well of musical knowledge and influence so we should expect nothing less.
They don’t disappoint…their new album Preternatural takes confident strides into new territory from which we can offer you an exclusive taster with their new Double A-Side single Behemooth / UnderWaterPainter
It was in early 2015 when reading an article in the New Scientist that lead singer Hannah Miller first starting thinking about a concept for the new album. “I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world” says Hannah. “But this article compelled me to look deeper and start exploring all the surreal and beautiful diversity that exists. There’s so many phenomenal creatures out there we thought they deserved their own album.”
Fast forward to 2016 and the result is ‘Preternatural’ – an eclectic but cohesive 11 track collection, which marries the thought provoking concept with elements of prog, pop, alt-folk and rock. It’s a beautifully orchestrated piece of work, experimental in parts but still accessible, fusing rich vocal harmonies, persuasive melodies, and elaborate compositions to make a genre defying album that explores the moving gaps of electronic and acoustic; DIY and big production.
It features spiders who pluck harmonics on the strands of their webs to test the tension; Pufferfish who trace concentric mandala patterns in the sand to attract a mate; the phenomenon of the mind control parasite and the enigmatic ‘Immortal’ Jellyfish. The symbiotic underwater jungle of the coral reef & the bioluminescent light show of the Octopus; the mystery ‘bloop’ sound recorded in the pacific; the visual patterns that run through the natural world and the chaos that is its turbulent accomplice. From the Barnacle Goslings of Greenland, who at two days old leap off a 400 foot cliff, to the claustrophobic underground existence of the Halicephalobus Mephisto Nematode Worm, whose discovery re-defined the perimeters of life, the theatre, thrill and artistry of nature is undeniable.
The aim of this record is to explore and celebrate the often surreal and miraculous wealth of fascinating diversity that exists in the natural world, and examine our relationship to it as humans: our similarities, our differences and our role as caretaker or threat. To hold in tension the emotional world and the scientific. To acknowledge that the natural world still keeps many secrets, and to hope that consideration and scientific enquiry will help the human race in our struggle to protect the wild beauty of the only planet we have.
Preternatural is released 27 May 2016
Pre-Order it here
Live Dates
21 Apr – SOUTHAMPTON, The Brook
22 Apr – OXFORD, The Cellar
23 Apr – LONDON, Islington Assembly
24 Apr – BRISTOL, Exchange
26 Apr – BURY ST EDMUNDS, Apex
27 Apr – BIRMINGHAM, The Dark Horse
28 Apr – LEICESTER, The Musician
29 Apr – EDINBURGH, The Mash House
03 May – YORK, The Duchess
04 May – SHEFFIELD, Greystones
05 May – MANCHESTER, Band on the Wall
06 May – STROUD, The Convent
07 May – FALMOUTH, Tolmen Centre
Ticket Links and full details via www.moulettes.co.uk