<p><span><span>- For all of the “miserable” and “depressing” tags attached to Scottish duo Arab Strap, many seem to forget one fundamental truth – they’re also hilarious. One only needs to look at the front cover of their 2006 retrospective <em>Ten Years Of Tears</em> to get the hint, as the pair sit looking forlorn in a generic function room, a banner reading “<em>Enjoy Your Retirement, Arab Strap</em>” tacked loosely to the wall. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Retire they did for a time, before re-emerging on various occasions since late 2011. These spots of activity finally culminate in their first studio album since <em>The Last Romance</em> way back in 2005. With its foreboding title <em>As Days Get Dark</em>, multi-instrumentalist <strong>Malcolm Middleton </strong>and vocalist/lyricist <strong>Aidan Moffat</strong> dutifully deliver an album rich in human insecurity and withering observations; but neither of them want us to turn away in horror. Middleton’s subtly modern arrangements and Moffat’s honeyed, heavy-accented speak-singing ensure the world-weariness is accompanied by surprisingly sweet, even buoyant, melodic charm. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>“<em>She has only one confidant, a psychosexual shrink / I think she’s wasting her money, I think we just need a drink”,</em> Moffat deadpans in the new wave pop slink of <em>Compersion Pt. 1</em>. In the record’s latest single <em>Here Comes Comus!</em>, Moffat excoriates a predatory hipster with his usual eloquence: “<em>Buttons missing from a silken shirt / Shades at night, he’s a full-time flirt</em>” the narrator describes, as souls are routinely destroyed by Comus’ wilful charm. Even the song’s name is a funny two-pronged wisecrack, suggesting the title character has the same moniker as the eternally hip psychedelic folk band from the early ‘70s, but it’s also the name of the Greek god of festivity and general hedonism – both descriptions suit the character to a T. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The album’s music is simple but tasteful and beautifully arranged. <em>Tears On Tour</em> recalls the ‘80's synth-pop broodings of <strong>Leonard Cohen</strong>; <em>The Turning Of Our Bones</em> allows Moffat’s musings to glide alongside a gorgeous indie-dance backing, while <em>I Was Once A Weak Man</em> continues the danceability with a string quartet playing what sounds like the hook to <strong>Salt ‘n Pepa</strong>’s <em>Shoop</em>. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all bitter laughs and fun. As the record’s title suggests, things do indeed get dark, but that darkness never drags the album down with it. Arab Strap prove that even at our most desperate, streaks of sunlight can still shine through. <em>As Days Get Dark</em> crawls over glass on our behalf to find that sunlight.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Matt Thrower.</span></span></p>
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