Vague Lanes – Divergence & Declaration
Vague Lanes – Divergence & Declaration
Vague Lanes is a duel-bass, darkwave project comprising Badger McInnes and Mike Cadoo. The duo bonded over a love of eighties infused post-punk. It’s a love that shines through this, their second album, Divergence & Declaration. Hints of PIL, Killing Joke, Sisters, Cure and early Cocteaus are littered everywhere across the new release. Whilst there are nods to Industrial and Goth, this remains a cosy, accessible record. McInnes’ low end thrums with inviting warmth while Cadoo’s lead is dreamy and melodic.
Anyone seeking a potted history of Vague Lanes can refer to our previous articles (linked). Put simply, I think the two men made their formative music essentially for themselves. After sharing it with close friends someone, (thank the Lawd) somewhere said ‘Oh boy, no, you have to release this’. As a result, out came Cassette, swiftly followed by the fleshed-out debut, Foundation & Divergence.
There are aesthetic pointers to the bands direction here too. Once brunette now blonde, their sleeve art has always carried a pop-art femme fatale – a nod perhaps to the music’s dark allure. Also note the album names themselves. Foundation & Divergence was the groups emergence. Now it is Divergence & Declaration.
Declaration, therefore, of Intent!
This follow up is a confident, mighty piece of work. Think of The Cure and their unofficial trilogy encompassing Pornography, Disintegration and Bloodflowers – well you could certainly complete the quartet using this record. The defiant By Dusk, the dreamy Eight Winters and the truly astonishing Weight Of Days could all slip comfortably adjacent to last years’ Songs of a Lost World. Yet these guys remain authentic to themselves, staying in their own (vague) lane as it were. Promotional choice Unravelling shows the duo in full force whilst the staggering Cellophane is a siren call to the disenfranchised everywhere. On the mic, Cadoo steps out of his windtunnel to roar his world-weary views with added clarity. If Martin Gore had ever gotten his hands on the band Lowlife it might have resulted in something approximate. Cavernous vocals – tick, sinewy, melodic basslines, (McInnes reminds me more and more of Bill Heggie) – tick, but Vague Lanes sprinkle stardust of their own including whiplash beats and dark sensuality. It’s a compelling formula.
I’m not sure how dark the dusk becomes in California but these guys sure would be darlings in the Dutch/German borderlands. Let us look forward to the next album. Declaration & Devastation, perhaps? We may be living in a fucked up world but at least it inspires some stunning music.
Divergence & Declaration is out now via Bandcamp.