Douga promise ‘a sense of much-needed stillness and introspection amidst a world set at full speed and volume.’ They’re perhaps selling themselves short here, for while there’s evidently no small amount of consideration about the songs here, it’s not some plodding, quietly navel-gazing singer-songwriter type yawnfest. In fact, what they deliver is an uplifting set of songs that demonstrate a real range, although with a clear leaning toward indie, pop and psychedelia of a distinct vintage.
Opener ‘Kids of Tomorrow’ builds a whirl of organ through a picked guitar line and echo-heavy motorik haze. ‘Still Waters’ is an obvious standout, a psychedelic pop song that takes flight. ‘Accidents’ starts out as a Merseybeat-tinged pop song that soon strays into an expansive prog jam that sees it effortlessly sail toward the seven minute mark.
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The capacity to shift trajectory and change the sound and texture of songs unexpectedly is one of Douga’s numerous strengths, and the chiming post-rock of ‘In Fog’, which contrasts with the carefully orchestrated ponderous folk of ‘Albatross’ are but two more examples of their versatility. But what really counts is the quality, and Douga display that by the spadeful.
Nuanced, intelligent and ambitious, ‘The Silent Well’ is a strong debut and an extremely promising start.
Douga online
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