We were first introduced to Meursault via the Song, By Toad blog, and they were soon established as a firm favourite of Barry-Sean’s. Their reputation amongst the Mackerels was further cemented by the wonderful single Nothing Broke and their excellent album All Creatures Will Make Merry.

They have a new album scheduled, their third, on Song, By Toad Records and rather aptly released on Barry-Sean’s birthday – the 16th July. It is called Something For The Weakened and our copy arrived in the post a few days ago. According to the press release, they have moved away from the more electronic based sounds and embraced a far more organic and orchestrated approach – synths and samplers have been switched for piano and intricate string arrangements on the record.

Well, in our opinion the change certainly agrees with them and we are, if anything, in line for something even better with this record than we’ve been treated to before. We’ve not had it long enough to get properly acquainted with it yet, but first impressions are that this is a warm record, sturdy somehow and seems to indicate that the band are in fine fettle. Of course they are still as capable as ever of breaking your heart with a tale of restrained, subdued melancholy that slips a fist around your soul and squeezes tight and these provide some of the (many) undeniable high points on the record. However, the shackles are thrown off sometimes and the change of pace and tempo suits them too, especially on Dull Spark and the bitter (and brilliant) Settling with its perfectly judged metronomic rhythm which should surely be destined for many end-of-year Best Of lists.

Have a listen to another album high point, the impassioned and nigh on perfect Flittin’  – Meursault might well be even more magnificent than ever before.

Buy previous Meursault releases here.

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