LIGHTNING IN A TWILIGHT HOUR - Colours Yet To Be Named

Crepuscular and rich in shades of colour, the Lightning In A Twilight Hour album is yet another travel diary from Bobby Wratten (already known for Field Mice, Northern Picture Library, The Occasional Keepers, Trembling Blue Stars). "Colours Yet To Be Named" is a triumph of the senses and of dreamlike perception, a concentrate of emotions in which Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe's philosophical theory of colour merges with the English musician's fragile melancholy, once again setting in motion a sonic imagery where ethereal harmonies and velvety drum machines in the style of New Order blend into music that is as malleable as it is cohesive.

The fact that the new album's release was preceded by an excellent single that Bobby Wratten left off the final project, "There's More To Life Than Crooks"/"Haar", is consistent with that philosophy embraced since the days of the legendary Sarah Records, which favoured the 7" format for its most pop and urgent outpourings. The urgency and intense pop magic of the A-side and the introspective darkness of the B-side are at the heart of that contrast which "Colours Yet To Be Named" works through in a sequence of romantic autumnal songs.

Joining Wratten are the usual friends and collaborators, namely Anne Marie Davies, Beth Arzy, Ian Catt and Michael Hiscock. The music hasn't changed: velvety voices and crystalline sounds remain at the heart of the eleven tracks, whether they lean more pop ("Red Comet"), tap into more refined electronics ("Graph Paper", "Opaque Retreat"), or linger over dream-pop alchemies ("Addicere", "Folk Radio"); the songs fit perfectly into a sonic landscape that continues to fascinate both fans of Galaxie 500 ("The No-Sound Of Falling Snow") and diehard nostalgics of Cocteau Twins ("The Quiet And The Confusion").

The music of Lightning In A Twilight Hour belongs to that parallel world where "pop" is a noble title, sweetness coincides with poetry ("Fortress", "Inner Heat"), tears dry up before they can roll down your face ("Blue Traces"), and even the roughest shoegaze sounds feel like a caress ("Every Flame A Sunset").

"Colours Yet To Be Named" is not just a solid confirmation of Bobby Wratten's talent, but also one of the most fitting soundtracks for these winter days.

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10/01/2026