Marking their fourth release to date, South London shoegaze outfit 2nd Magpie Project has returned with ‘Divine Intervention’, a piece that further advances the eclectic aural narrative that propels the project. Set up as a loose and ever-changing collective, the band sees at its helm singer and songwriter Chris Barnham, a Lewisham-based science fiction writer and former politician and civil servant.
In true shoegaze fashion, ‘Divine Intervention’ features larger-than-life guitars and ethereal textures, with drums being mixed very quietly, as if they were emerging from far, far away. This does partly remind us of Drop Nineteens, among others. It’s not the sort of shoegaze that wants to hit the mainstream chart, instead pursuing a more alternative, and more interesting, avenue. It works: ‘Divine Intervention’ feels like celestial fever dream, one guided by Chis Barnham’s malleable and dark vocals, here sharing a certain Nick Cave flavouring.
From a lyrical standpoint, ‘Divine Intervention’ continues the group’s reflective and partly philosophical ethos. It’s not a surprise, given how the project has become an outlet for escapism and introspection. As Barnham explains: “As our name suggests, we like to look for the positives. But none of us is getting any younger and you can ’t help thinking about life going wrong. Grief is the shadow cast by love: Divine Intervention is about a big love that casts a big shadow.” This is lovable, purposeful shoegaze.
Recommended! Discover ‘Divine Intervention’ now: