Sutcliffe Jugend — The Deluge
Like looking into a weird, funhouse mirror, Sutcliffe Jugend's The Deluge is a warped, version of what you'd expect to see (or hear, in this case). Softer, and at times airy and light, the final release for this duo has them putting out a very surprising release. With harshness left by the wayside, the sweeping, droning ethereal bits are accompanied by Kevin Tomkins' classic spoken word. However, gone are the shrill screams and violent outbursts. Feeling more like something from Candelabra Records, the lyrics are placed directly and solidly upon the flowing and softly oscillating sounds beneath. Done with care, the two layers meld into a sort of alien story book; a story of love, death, and regret. Feeling like a more honest and raw release than the angry, shouting albums of the past, The Deluge works on a number of levels. It not only hits on an emotional level, but also on an aesthetic one. The lyrics tell an intriguing tale of love, loss, and all that, and their style and delivery wonderfully juxtapose the backing sonic revelry. And there's also a wonderful element of airy, high reaching synth notes being held in place by deliberate and solid spoken word. With three of the tracks being instrumental, the listener gets to fill in many blanks on the narrative himself/herself. This "Choose Your Own Adventure" styled flavor is very intriguing, and adds another layer of depth to the album.
The Deluge is and interesting and unexpected addition to Sutcliffe Jugend's discography. Although the band has officially ended, their catalog will live on, and The Deluge will certainly stand out. While it may not be for most Sutcliffe Jugend fans, it's certainly well done and a welcome set of sonics for 2020.