The word prolific is often overused in the descriptive sense; an average goal-scorer in the Premier League goes on a hot streak and suddenly they're a "prolific marksman". It's also a word that appeals to those tasked with articulating the requisite hyperbole to describe those with a knack for consistency in the creative arts. Mark.E. Smith of The Fall was often lumped with 'prolific' because he was:
a) Notoriously vague and hard to pin down.
b) Incredibly difficult in interviews and
c) Producing album after album of cryptic, often flawed but often GENIUS, work that defies conventional categorisation.
Claire Welles is certainly an artist who can could afford a wry smile whilst reading that opening paragraph. Unlike Mark was, Claire is not so hard to track down and is much more accommodating - but what she does share with him is the consistent and challenging body of work that will gain her the 'prolific' tag. It's also often flawed and often genius, but it's NEVER predictable.
It's difficult to think of Liverpool's alternative music scene without thinking of Welles; she is very much the Matriarch of the Merseyside Alt-Pop mafia. 'Dazed' is Claire's 33rd album - almost as many years she's been alive, and after releasing two in the form of 'Fluke' and 'In Quarantine' in 2020; it's a sign of an artist very much in their prime.
Opener 'Daze' has the kind of stabbing synth sound that creeps you out and you can envisage it sound tracking an unsettling, surreal dream. There is an overwhelming sense of confusion that is confirmed by the opening lyrics - I'm in a daze, been in better places. I'm in a daze, seen different faces. The delirium is accentuated by the heavily distorted choir effect of the backing vocals. Drums enter with that Beatles stylebackward tracking effect - raising the tempo and the sense of disquiet. The synthesisers are crying, they're crying out in shame - Sonic Tears eh? No that's not a Psych Rock band from Austin, Texas.
'Yoga Nationalism' begins with a minimal feel that has an air of F*** Buttons about the production, but it's clear that Welles is on the attack from a lyrical perspective. The target of her vitriol are what Stewart Lee might disparagingly call "The Liberal Elite", or more specifically, those who have allowed themselves to stray from rational politics - Yoga obsessives who go through a twenty bag a night and revel in conspiracy. You're so full of shit, change the colour of your hair everyday. It's a growing mentality that has become increasingly apparent throughout the continued presence of the Covid 19 Pandemic - and how some of the people mentioned have lost a sense of reality and empathy.
A track with a similar feel to 'Yoga Nationalism' is the seethingly brilliant 'Different Lives' - it's arguably the highlight of the album. Stretched over 5 minutes with a dark 80s synth influence and a languid guitar that barely breaks a sweat - 'Different Lives' is part Talk Talk, part Brian Jonestown Massacre. Again the lyrics are on the front foot and have a sense of Morrissey at his most scathing about them - Most of my peers, have nothing between their ears. It seems Claire is using her music to communicate to someone who should have remained closer to her than they did - Couldn't care less about the past, something you clearly fail to grasp. The closing embers are characterised by a repeat of the distorted choir effect of 'Daze' and the feeling as the track fades is one of complete catharsis.
It's important to know at this point the backdrop to which Welles wrote the majority of the songs on 'Dazed'. Not only did she have her own brush with Covid 19 in March 2020, but she also lost her Mother to Cancer later in the year. Such profound brushes with death can only produce abstruse, overwhelming feelings - and it's these feelings that Welles has had to navigate on this album. On 'Spend The Day in A Pub', She talks of escaping from the stress of caring for her Mother by spending sunny afternoons in the local - understandable, but not your average Pop music subject matter.
The darkest moment on the album when Claire vents the most about recent events is 'Learning How to Die'. Starting with a singing bird sample, the song begins in earnest with a pensive guitar riff. Again there is a sense of catharsis about the lyrics: I'm not a Health Professional in any way, But it's clear your days of numbered - clear as day. Encompassing the myriad of emotions we go through when we know someone we love is slipping away - 'Learning How To Die' is a difficult, but important listen. It almost feels intrusive when Welles sings You're learning how to die, you give me life a million times in the chorus. It's when a thumping bass arrives late on that the song takes off into a different realm; before falling apart at the final throes - it's almost devastating to listen to but it's another highlight on the growing list.
Despite the deep and meaningful subject matter dominating the lyrical perspective of this album; there's always going to be time for Welles to display her sardonic and often unorthodox idiosyncrasies. 'Mary Janes' is a sinister synth opus where Claire sings the praises of her favourite pair of shoes, - Got a pair of Mary Janes and I wear them every day; think I got them on Ebay - never has the humble closed, low-cut , velcro-strapped shoe been eulogised about in such a malevolent manner. 'Flagship Supermarket' is a sharply-focused attack at the major Supermarkets that lurk on the outskirts of town and kill off independents - There's a lot of discontent, the future isn't Birkenhead - it's the Flagship Supermarket.
On 'Dazed', Claire Welles has managed to distil what has made her such a fascinating character for so long, with an increased improvement in quality control - it's a early contender for the Album of the Year. With a Tim's Twitter Listening Party scheduled for Friday 5th February at 9pm, these are exciting times. Here's to another 33 eh Claire?
'Dazed' is available directly from Claire on limited edition cassette tape and digital download from her Bandcamp page - Friday is also a commission-free Friday on Bandcamp, allowing the artist their biggest share of the digital sale. 'Dazed' has also been made available from beginning to end on Youtube.
Claire's track 'Different Lives' has been added to the NoNewWaveNoFun Spotify playlist featuring artists such as The Sifted Few, Public Prism, Mondegreen, Vice Killer, Meilir, The Shipbuilders and many more. Take a listen below and don't forget to follow it so you can be up to date as it evolves.
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