Death In June — The Rule Of Thirds

Though born from the Neo Folk scene there’s something very other and strange about Death in Junes sound and sonic presence, at the base of all of songs on The Rule of Thirds is acoustic guitar but there’s lots of things making this a bizarre, intriguing, quirky and at times sinister playing experience.

Firstly the way the often odd and jarring samples are weaved through the songs acoustic strum seemingly poping out at you like strange pop-up elements, Next the weird production that shifts textures & vocals around in a un- nevering and psychedelic manner. The Syd Barrett meets 60’s pop gone sinister croon of Douglas P which at times wonders off into bizarre pop gone weird & boss nova vocal harmonies. Then of course the often sneering, clever and tongue-in-cheek lyrics that touch down in religion, politics, magic, European identity and death, ect. Really there just seems to be something strange and other weaved into every grain of sound here- meaning when you step into its sonic folds your well and truly stepping into the world and mind of Douglas P. Yet for all the ‘otherness’ the songs are often tuneful and always well composed, over time them seem to worm inside your head & you’ll often find your self solemnly humming along with Douglas.

Special mention must go to the packaging which is a rather smart soft laminated full colour gatefold that’s also nicely embossed and of course full of pictures of Death In June’s/ Douglas P creepy face mask and Para-military get-up. All in all a very one off experience that you’ll either get or not- to begin with it seems very odd & bizarre but over time Douglas pulls you in deeper and deeper, what at first seem strange if sparse songs reveal them self’s over time as layered, clever and tuneful constructions. Really worth your time and effort if your after something folk based that’s challenging and distinctive