After the delightful 'ROYGBIV', which chose the invention of colour television as its background, Public Service Broadcasting go darker with a five song EP called The War Room.
This time they have worked in conjunction with the BFI and created five tracks that make use of British films from the Second World War.
The change is evident from first track 'If War Should Come', which is broody and menacing. Complete with a stern voice telling us "don't be alarmed" it's like a downbeat 'Two Tribes' with a dramatic rush of synths rising to a crescendo.
'London Can Take It' is really powerful, with sirens, big ben chimes and the voices setting a tense scene where an air-raid is imminent. Complete with the astonishing photograph that adorns the cover (above) this paints a very vivid picture.
'Spitfire' is the one that most people know thanks to the cracking video and air-play on 6music. It is a pulsing, infectious tune with a Krautrock feel and a slightly less didactic voice, as these samples come from the war film 'The First of the Few' and are more lyrical than some of the other tracks. There are some ace thrashing guitars on the bit that you kids call 'the drop' as well.
'Dig for Victory' is much gentler, as it builds up from a single guitar part into a bigger wall of synths, whilst 'Waltz for George' is led by banjo, so it is obviously not as electronic. It is a lovely delicate end to the EP, the found narration is more fragile and human and it's a great way to wrap up the concept.
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