Album Review – A 4 Letter Word by The Shop Window (2022) (Spinout Nuggets)
As several singles have already been released from this “A 4 Letter Word” album going back as far as November 2021, it feels almost as if we are finally greeting a cherished old friend rather than a new work, considering the airtime and coverage this album has already had.
However, having the chance to hear the six new tracks within the context of the whole album reveals more layers to the overall aesthetic. Initially, everything feels bigger, more intent to bristle, and generally more bombastic, in the best possible way.
As such, Eyes Wide Shut,Circles Go Round,Lighthouse, and That Feeling guide their signature omnipotent jangled riffs and harmonies through a core sound that mixes the chiming echoes of The Cry with the Britpop jangly muscularity of acts like Gene and The Bluetones. It’s very 1990s, and it’s glorious because of it, not despite it.
When the tempo and bombast drop in the album, there is an extra sense of confidence felt in this album compared to June 2021’s brilliant The State of Being Human. As a result, Lay of the Land and Dancing Light lean toward the janglier end of early 1990s psyche-pop, whereas With Love to Lead, It’s By Design, and the truly outstanding Low cherish everything that was so wonderful about mid- to late-80s anglophile guitar pop and provide the best vehicle to carry Carl Mann’s wonderful voice to the realms of near perfection.
The Shop Window do jangle-pop the way we want to remember the 1990s’ contribution to the genre, and for that reason, their audience will continue to grow exponentially with every release.
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