For 25 years, Doves have expertly blended joy and melancholy, crafting rich soundscapes across five acclaimed albums. They are now returning, but, as widely noted, in a transformed lineup. Lead vocalist Jimi Goodwin will not be joining brothers Jez and Andy Williams on their upcoming tour for their sixth album, ‘Constellations for the Lonely’, just as he was unable to participate in the promotion for their previous album, ‘The Universal Want’ in 2021.
“It was a huge setback, the tour,” Andy tells CLASH. “We had two tours we were really looking forward to, our first in ten years then—now it's been fifteen! The cancellations, first due to COVID and then due to Jimi's health issues, were really hard for both of us. We were eager to perform live. The future felt very uncertain.”
“It was difficult to navigate,” he continues. “We started working on this album, and gradually, as Jimi started feeling better and could record, his contributions were solid. However, as we neared completion, both Jez and I were very keen to play live. We felt we had been missing it for so long. There was clearly a desire from our fans to hear us again. Then it became clear that it wouldn’t be suitable for Jimi to tour. He wasn’t in the right place.”
“That was a monumental challenge for us,” the drummer adds. “Eventually, we decided that because both Jez and I have sung on every album and occasionally performed songs at gigs, we thought, ‘Let’s just give it a go. Let’s try this in a rehearsal room and see if we can make it work.’ It might not have turned out, but we were fortunate to have some talented friends join us. It quickly became evident that we could not just do it, but we could do it well. That was a huge relief for us. Jimi fully supports our decision because he understands how much it means to us. We strive to ensure everything is a collaborative choice.”
“When you’re dealing with someone with addiction issues,” Jez adds, “you’re at the mercy of those problems. Your future is bound to those addictions, which is a tough position for both Andy and me.”
“So, all three of us are really caught in this situation. With Jimi’s blessing, this was our chance to perform Doves' songs live. The demand was evident since we receive constant messages expressing how much people want to hear the last album, let alone this one.”
Throughout their journey, Doves have continuously triumphed over obstacles, whether facing a studio fire or releasing an album during a global pandemic. ‘Constellations for the Lonely’ could be their most exceptional work yet, trading grand, anthemic choruses for a more nuanced sound that reflects their recent challenges.
“I would say it leans darker,” Jez reflects. “We never start out with a structured plan when writing an album. We let it evolve naturally. I think you have to do that. I’m not a fan of orchestrated approaches, like plotting moves on a blackboard. It never turns out well.”
“Much of the lyrics tackle themes of anxiety or how to rise above it. Honestly, there was a lot of anxiety present. Writing the album became our safe haven amid everything happening outside. I believe the album reflects that, mirroring our experiences,” he continues. His brother nods in agreement: “There was definitely a lot happening outside the studio. As Jez said, being in the studio became our escape. While the recording process went smoothly, everything outside posed challenges. I suppose that's going to filter into the music.”
In reality, the Mancunian trio has never been the most carefree act. While the duo is happy to let listeners interpret the lyrics, the album possesses a colder, more claustrophobic atmosphere than previous works, enhanced by a myriad of sonic textures. “We tend to get bored easily, so we aim to keep things engaging for ourselves,” Andy explains. “We want to challenge ourselves, possibly not from the listener's standpoint but from ours, to stay engaged. ‘Cold Dreaming’ and ‘Last Year’s Man’ felt like explorations into new territory. Writing them felt fresh to us, which is all we can truly rely on. Being in the band for so long, we must keep things interesting and continue to evolve.”
“I see the sonics as a fourth instrument,” Jez adds, continuing the thought. “We have the guitar, bass, etc., but I believe there's always space for sonic elements. I appreciate their abstract nature. They help create tension and resolution in the music. Maybe we took that inspiration from our previous band, Sub Sub. We incorporated many sonic elements into dance music.”
“But we've kept that knowledge with us and never let go of this aspect. It stems from sampling culture and utilizing external elements in our music. I think this is integral to the Doves
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