A more somber presentation as baroque pop intersects with mid-life...
16 · 09 · 2025
In ‘All The Pretty Lights’, the captivating centerpiece of Neil Hannon’s thirteenth album as The Divine Comedy, there comes a moment where he pauses to reflect on the accuracy of the treasured childhood memories he has held onto for so long. Considering the stark difference between the sparkling festivities of London and his arrival from 1970s Northern Ireland, he muses, “was there snow? I don’t know. It’s all muddled with Peter Pan.” This muddling has, over the past thirty-five years, subtly impacted people's perceptions of his work, as condensed memories have reduced him to a comedy act based on one woodshed and a budget bus ride. However, his reliably delicate touch and clever use of language have led to expansive, immersive explorations through pop history that few songwriters can match so consistently.
Having created the brilliant soundtrack for Timothée Chalamet's 2023 portrayal of Wonka, and after a six-year gap since his last studio album, Hannon is in a reflective mood, choosing to embrace the more emotional, atmospheric aspects of his songwriting. A masterful curator of records, he has crafted a compelling journey through these eleven tracks, starting with the lead single ‘Achilles’. Inspired by Patrick Shaw-Stewart’s 1915 poem ‘Achilles In The Trench’, it captures the anxiety of a soldier gearing up for battle, using music to convey the necessary façade of courage. This immediately indicates that the arrangements will be rich, sweeping, and impactful on an album recorded at Abbey Road’s Studio 3. ‘I Want You’ possesses the grandeur and ambition reminiscent of some of the monumental moments from 1997’s ‘A Short Album About Love’, gradually building towards a haunting conclusion.
The title track and 'Mar-A-Lago By The Sea' are the two songs that raise eyebrows, yet they delve deep. The former meditates on a disagreement during lockdown, perfectly illustrating the rapid dissipation of adrenaline upon realizing one's misplaced arrogance in the argument. It concludes with a tender moment of self-awareness. The latter cleverly critiques a location emblematic of its owner, also offering a more fantastical take on the country's turn toward populism in 'Down The Rabbit Hole'.
‘The Last Time I Saw The Old Man’ naturally reflects on parental loss, completed after a session at his father's old piano. Any risk of becoming overly sentimental is quickly countered by ‘The Man Who Turned Into A Chair’, inspired by a light-hearted insult from his wife. This tonal ebb and flow continues until the last trio of tracks, each quietly heartbreaking in its own way. ‘The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter’ provides a broad perspective on the quest for love throughout life and the inevitable pain it brings. It beautifully bridges the melancholic elements of 2001’s ‘Regeneration’ with the revitalized orchestration of its follow-up, ‘Absent Friends’. This is succeeded by the brief, sorrowful instrumental piece ‘Can’t Let Go’, where Hannon delicately glides over the keys, creating a resonant and reflective moment before the album’s grand finale.
‘Invisible Thread’ delves into the complex emotions of a child leaving home, balancing grief with the hopeful spark of new beginnings. The subtle ache in an otherwise cheerful vocal, coupled with the lush chorus, had already stirred emotions before Hannon’s daughter, Willow, joined in with backing vocals. As a poignant reminder that even joyful occasions carry a hint of sadness, it becomes a strikingly beautiful piece to close out the album.
As with the best of Hannon's creations, these songs unfold with numerous subtle layers and intricate details that reveal themselves after their melodic beauty captivates. This is one of The Divine Comedy's strongest records, drawing on many of his most potent musical instincts to support a much-needed emotional exploration.
9/10
Words: Gareth James
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In "All The Pretty Lights," the captivating highlight of Neil Hannon's thirteenth album as The Divine Comedy, there comes a moment when he stops to ponder