Sydney Minksy Sargeant – Lunga review

The creative centre of Working Men’s Club, it has to be said that hearing Sydney (Syd) Minsky Sargeant was to release a solo album was not exactly a surprise. Whilst there are noises about a new WMC record in the works, ever since their inception it’s been clear that the singer had talent to burn, as side projects and club nights have more than hinted at.

Anyone expecting the indie techno pulse of his main hussle will however be dissappointed. Lunga’s musing stems from a period of introspection after extended touring and life in the goldfish bowl of being a successful musician. To effect this out went former go to features like heavily processed vocals and working collectively, with Sargeant playing most of the instuments himself.

For best listening effect, abandon preconceptions. I Don’t Wanna is an airy folk rock love song, whilst Lunga (Interlude) is eight minutes of ambient swirl and droning grey noise, either at opposite ends of the surprise spectrum. The highlights though are the fiendishly modernist sea shanty Chicken Wire but not to be outdone, the elfin finger picking of Long Roads brings the spirit of Nick Drake flickering temporarily back to life. For Sydney Minksy Sergeant a solo album was no shock. What Lunga is made of though is off a blueprint few would expect.

You can read a full review here.