Allo Darlin' – Europe (2012)

Today, this album by a London-based indie pop band seems very evidently like a political statement, but when you consider this album was actually released already in 2012, it's not quite as evident. Allo Darlin' is actually very un-political in their lyrics on this album and despite some references to EU politics, this album is mostly about everyday encounters on their European tour where they drove across the continent in a van. Then again, it seems to me like this albums is a manifesto for free movement in Europe. It tells numerous stories of different cities, memorable experiences and the sense of freedom of driving from country to country and feeling part of it all. I'm getting quite emotional now even just thinking about how my adopted home country is willingly trying to give up something this amazing. 

I myself went on an Interrail mostly through Central Europe back in 2006 and it's one of the best trips I've made in my life. It was an amazing experience to just travel by train from country to another without passport control and without anyone questioning why I was there. Through the whole Brexit process, I've become much more pro-European than I was before. I'm still not claiming EU is without its faults. I think the things that happened in Greece as a result of their debt crisis was appalling and for example the deal with Turkey to keep refugees out of Europe is quite horrible. Nevertheless, the idea of unified Europe without borders is a very beautiful ideal that has showed its importance now that me and millions of other Europeans living in limbo waiting for UK to shoot itself in the head.

Allo Darlin' plays endearing indie pop with lots of acoustic guitars, ukuleles and simple, yet beautiful melodies. I liked their debut album, but this second album of them is an improvement to the first one. The sounds have improved quite considerably and also the songs are catchier and overall better. I bought this album quite soon after having moved to London and it still sounds excellent today, maybe even better because all of this Brexit nonsense.

The album starts with an upbeat and sunny song Neil Armstrong. I'm not sure how this relates to Europe, but I really like this song. It reminds me of later albums by Belle & Sebastian quite a lot. Capricornia has raw acoustic guitar strumming with electric guitars on top that sound a lot like The Smiths. This is the kind of music that could provide an amazing soundtrack for your road trip in the summertime. Then it's time for the title-track Europe. I'm getting shivers just by listening to these lyrics. This is such an honest and beautiful anthem to the amazement of travelling in Europe. And it says the magic words "I just want to be closer to you". Some People Say is a bit more similar to the band's debut album. The sounds are quiet mostly carried with ukuleles. Northern Lights, appropriately sounds a lot like the Finnish band Cats on Fire. I really like the upbeat song with fantastic growing melody. Wonderland has excellent electric guitar backing. The chiming sounds are really beautiful. Tallulah is another ukulele piece bringing a bit of lo-fi into the album. The vocals sound fantastic when the other instruments have been toned down. The Letter has a beautiful melody and some more of those amazing clear electric guitars. Still Young gets a bit rowdier and you might even call this song a pop rock song. I think I can hear slight overdrive in the guitars as well. The album ends with a shoegazy song My Sweet Friends.

The music video for Tallulah shows footage the band filmed during their European and US tours. It's a beautiful, yet simple, admiration for seeing different lands, the joy of performing live and the goofiness that ensues from hanging long periods of time together with your friends. Despite the long sequences on motorways, I find something very enviable in experiences like these in the video.

I don't think I've even realised until now how well this album describes the positive outlook young people across Europe have towards other countries, free movement and new experiences. I think I'm going to listen to this album a lot more now even though it kind of breaks my heart.

Listen to the album on Spotify.