Label: Play It Again Sam
Released: 24th September 2021
It’s been a funny old time for Public Service Broadcasting, even before the pandemic, and now after spending some time abroad writing and recording they’re back with new album ‘Bright Magic’ – a triumphant return filled with the sights and sounds of Berlin, with the album even being recorded in the famous Hansa Studios.
Opening track ‘Der Sumpf (Sinfonie der Großstadt)’ sounds more like it was informed by Hawkins, Indiana rather than the German creative hub, but moving beyond that the archetypes of Bowie’s Berlin trilogy, especially ‘Low’, are all over ‘Bright Magic’.
Single ‘Blue Heaven’ featuring the luscious vocals of Andreva Casablanca is an absolute anthem filled with hope and love whilst ‘People, Let’s Dance (featuring EERA)’ is made for the dark rooms that modern day Berlin is famous for. The album’s crescendo is formed of the three part ‘Lichtspiel’ telling the sonic story of Berlin and it’s well worth a listen.
It’s a magnificent record from the PSB boys; full of magic.
