Following 2007's exquisite An Unknown Spring, Louis Philippe all but disappeared from the music business. One of indie pop's premier cult figures, Philippe's deft hand at production and arrangement had been regularly put to use over previous decades by a variety of acts, and his own albums remain widely revered in knowing circles who prefer their pop with a healthy dose of sophistication and eloquence. Breaking a 13-year hiatus, the London-dwelling Frenchman is back with a compelling new album and a formidable band. Backed by the Night Mail, a veteran trio comprising guitarist Robert Rotifer, bassist Andy Lewis, and drummer Ian Button, Thunderclouds plays like the purest distillation of Philippe's many attributes. A concentration of nimble melodies, elegantly interlocking parts, and enough warmth to heat a château, Thunderclouds is as focused and well-built as anything Philippe has yet released. A reflective tone persists throughout the LP, beginning with the moody standout "Living on Borrowed Time" on through the misty title track and the soul-inflected "Love Is the Only Light." Philippe's golden tenor vocals are complimented by trumpeter Shanti Jayasinha, who delivers some sterling work, and the multi-tracked violins of Big Big Train's Rachel Hall. For their part, the Night Mail serve the music with supreme finesse and taste, especially given that most of the basic tracking was done live in the studio. While Philippe's distinctive strain of smart pop may be easy on the ears, his arrangements are far from straightforward and require well-seasoned players to navigate. Many of the songs, like "Rio Grande" and "The Man Who Had It All," play like tricky chamber prog-pop suites, shifting time signatures and moods within their four-minute confines, challenging the listener without being obtuse. As with Philippe's best work, classical structures and jazz sophistication hold sway with French chanson class and myriad pop elements, combining delicately to create a signature sound. Released just months after The Devil Laughs, his second collaboration with Stuart Moxham, Thunderclouds marks a significant and welcome comeback for Philippe.
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