Magical musical musings care of the marvellous John Matthews.

The Durutti Column formed in Manchester in 1978 and were one of the first acts signed by Tony Wilson to Factory records. Originally a short-lived group, over the last 40 years the band has transformed into the singular vehicle of gifted, elusive guitarist Vini Reilly. A truly unique and gifted musician whose ethereal, delicate playing has always distinguished him from his post-punk peers. On Renascent, the Durutti Column’s first album in 16 years, Reilly has decided to work alongside core collaborators Bruce Mitchell and Kier Stewart, but those post-punk roots have been shed for a clean, ambient sound that feels vital and modern. In 2010, Reilly suffered 3 strokes that apparently left him, initially, unable to play the guitar. However, he has managed to relearn his instrument and adjusted his technique to incorporate slower tempos and sparser arrangements. Renascent certainly reflects these changes and the result is a beautiful and deeply layered record that gradually opens up over time.

The album begins with a brief vignette titled Echoes In The Memory, a track that immediately pushes Reilly’s trademark guitar sound centre stage and serves as a poignant reminder of his extended absence. The calm ambience of Your Shadow at Morning then draws the listener further in, before the standout Time Present And Time Past opens with the sound of a gentle harp and Reilly’s echoing guitar. The song developing into something that feels immensely fragile, almost as if the notes are about to smash and splinter into millions of tiny fragments.  

Agonistes is the first vocal track, and features harmonising from fellow Mancunian musician Caoilfhionn Rose. The words start out muffled and obscure, then sharpen as the music swells until the overall effect, ultimately, leaves the listener completely spellbound. Liars arrives as something of a curveball and commences with choral sounding harmonies over a contemporary beat and rhythmic guitar. Reilly speaks – almost half raps – in hushed tones and once again the words become clearer as the track moves forward, evolving into a haunting piece of painfully honest music. Vapour In A Matchbox perfectly captures Reilly’s signature jangling, and makes me feel so happy to finally have a new The Durutti Column back in my record collection. 

Your Shadow At Evening starts as a repetitive drum rhythm that fades as the track unfolds and gives way to atmospheric guitar effects and tribalistic bongos. It could be a jam, but it doesn’t feel at all throwaway, instead acting as a crucial component to the album’s flow and running order. I can only describe Sargasso Sea as stunning, and a song that I’m sure will live with me for a very long time. It’s the only track on the record that really has a traditional song structure and again features vocals by Rose – this time over a slow piano refrain and serene sonic textures. When Rose sings the line “in a pea green boat just you and me, across the wide Sargasso Sea” in such a beautifully aching tone it completely melts my heart. In the best way possible. Reilly’s own fragile vocals return on Scammer, spoken over slow electronic backing and what’s possibly a tuba. This leads to the delicate piano and french horn intro to the closing For Friends Everywhere, which is a glorious orchestral composition that builds upon blissful, cascading strings and an exquisite sounding glockenspiel. All They See Is Fire, is an excellent CD and digital bonus track, which highlights Lucas Elliott’s guest vocals.

“Renascent” is an adjective that means “rising again into being”, or “experiencing a rebirth”, a truly fitting title for this wonderful album. The music is a perfect mix of classic Durutti Column and modern, art-driven experimentation, which marks a new chapter in the sonic evolution of Vini Reilly. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

The Durutti Column’s Renascent can be ordered directly from London Records.