southern records

Song Of The Week: Boduf Songs - 'Quiet When Group'

Boduf Songs is the name taken by musician Mat Sweet, a Southampton native whose previous record on Kranky, and first full-length release, Lion Devours The Sun, was praised for the emotional poignancy of its lyrical themes that touched upon depression, mortality and isolation, as well as its understated, hushed beauty. Sweet uses a plethora of instruments, binding his acoustic guitar and microphone to electronics, found sounds and field recordings, yet he is sparing in his construction, a proponent of the less is more approach and, as such, many have noted an alchemical approach in his composition.

It would seem that such an appreciation was not lost on Sweet himself. The album's title alludes to the alchemical symbol of the green lion that devours the sun, which fabled psychologist Marie-Louise von Franz related to the experience of consciousness being overwhelmed by violent, frustrated desires and depression, and his latest album, How Shadows Chase The Balance sees Sweet continue to explore the dark night of the soul. Many of the songs on the album were in fact recorded at night, and while Mat offers a pragmatic reason for this approach, what with there being less background noise to contend with when everyone is tucked up in bed, it would seem that the desolation of night lends itself well to the dark, even mystical, themes of Boduf Songs.

Song of the Week is the fourth track from the aforementioned How Shadows Chase The Balance, "Quiet When Group" and showcases Sweet's hushed, breathy vocals, which are often layered upon each other, at points harmonising with himself, as if to exacerbate the sense of isolation, while the refrain of "We sigh" suggests a tired state of resignation. As the song continues, Sweet's melodic picked acoustic guitar and sweet vocals are joined by strikingly clear bass and drums, while subtle and atmospheric electronic whirrs and swirls escalate and encircle, all adding to the song's beautifully vaporous feeling. An understated, yet glimmering gem.

How Shadows Chase The Balance is available to buy now from our webshop.

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