Tunng - Songs You Make At Night

“We really wanted to do a tunng record going back to the original line up. There was a real magic in the early records that we all wanted to capture again in this one,” sagt Mike Lindsay. Und Recht hat er damit. Abzulesen vielleicht an der Tatsache, dass es „Comments Of The Inner Chorus“ als Album des Jahres 2006 mit der Stickernummer 160 in unser Sammelalbum geschafft hat.

Nun standen Tunng erstmals seit ihrem 2007er Album „Good Arrows“ wieder in ihrem ursprünglichen Lineup (Mike Lindsay, Sam Genders, Ashley Bates, Phil Winter, Martin Smith und Becky Jacobs) im Studio und liefern tatsächlich das ab, was man sich von Tunng erhofft: den warmen Harmonie- und Wechselgesang von Sam Genders und Backy Jacobs, das Verschmelzen von akustischen Gitarren und elektronischen Klängen zu dem, was das Genre Folktronica einst definierte, gelegentliche Samples mit Retro-Charme (zum Beispiel aus „Planet of the Apes“ oder einem Interview mit Mary Millington, einem/r Modell/Pornodarstellerin aus den 70er Jahren) und zahlreiche bemerkenswerte und außergewöhnlich gelungene Songs. 

Mit „Songs You Make At Night“, das im Gatefold Cover als schwarze oder blaue LP erhältlich ist und in der limitierten Auflage noch eine exklusive Single bereit hält, erstrahlen Tunng im alten Lineup tatsächlich im alten Glanz.

One gets the sense that these Songs You Make At Night are spawned from her inner turmoil, manifestations of her guilt, but with tracks like "Sleepwalking," we can all too easily relate to her late night wrestling matches with the soul. The majestic Grand Guignol storytelling of "Evaporate" is as dark as they dare to go, and it is delicious. (…)
There are also moments of sincere beauty; "Crow" and "Battlefront" are handled with care, Ashley Bates' gentle rippling guitar lines a refreshing break from the electronic modulation. Most quietly affecting is "Flatland," a cry of paralysis, of being trapped into living, thinking, and dreaming in one dimension. A must-listen for Tunng fans, this could mark the start of the second phase of their career.
(Under The Radar)

Short on hooks and obviously memorable moments, Songs You Make At Night is an album that excels in texture and dynamics instead, each thoughtfully composed song an intricate clockwork of whirring percussion and interlocking guitar and synth work. Phil Winter's samples shouldn't be overlooked in this regard either, giving the album a tactile, earthy vibe that contributes greatly to its distinctly British charm.

Indeed, Tunng have carved out a unique sound for themselves at this point, and anyone who's thus far managed to overlook their take on pastoral folk music for the 21st century should give them a look. Put this one on the next time you're strolling through the sunny fields of rural England — or when you want to imagine you are.
(Exclaim)

This latest album is still a fair amount bubblier than early works, with the electronic part more prominent than on Mother’s Daughter or Good Arrows, yet it has the same recognizable magic as Tunng’s best work, in hectically complicated arrangements that melt into simplicity and sleek modern surfaces atop centuries-old modalities.
(Blurt)

‘Songs You Make At Night’ is an apt title. A record that lands with such hazy panache, transporting its listener into a nocturnal wilderness where dreams are limitless. The record is undoubtedly a strong return to form for the folktronica vanguards and potentially the signalling of a second coming for the band. Its testament to the creative vision of Tunng that they can make the dark appear so colourful.
(Clash Music)

Tunng in Deutschland:
03.11.18 Köln, Artheater
04.11.18 Berlin, Lido