QR Music Review: Gruff Rhys - Babelsberg

Welsh singer-songwriter an part-time frontman of Super Furry Animals Gruff Rhys returns for his 5th solo endeavour Babelsberg, a weird and wonderful record filled with darkness, melancholy and curiosity. Written over two years ago, shortly after the release of his 2016 soundtrack album Set Fire To The Stars Rhys delivers another round of his observational pop commentary accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, creating an expansive, 10 track wonderland. 

Tracks such as Frontiersman, Oh Dear! and Negative Vibes sees the musical eccentric in top form, with delicately woven woodwind, strings and percussion adding critical depth to the political and cultural observations that makes up the lyrical body of the album. Rhys talent as a lyricist is on full display, as his nuanced and unique manners of describing the world he sees perfectly compliment the layered score that the orchestra provides.

However, the album on a whole tends to rely too heavily upon the instruments at times, which is an odd critique of an album. How fitting that Rhys can be criticised for something out of the ordinary. With this being said, it feels that the lowest points of the album are only held up by the hyperbole of the 72 piece accompaniment. At times, Rhys come across as a little too anxious and unsure, never a good sign for someone trying to convey a strong political message to his listeners. Rhys certainly has his moments, both witty and dark but also noticeably ambiguous in such a way that makes certain periods in the album challenging to enjoy.

All in all, a deep, velvety album laden with satire, politics, animosity and unpleasantness, Babelsberg is a solid, enjoyable album that leaves more questions than answers. Some may be unsatisfied, but no fan should be surprised.

By Benjamin Magee