Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat

The LPs ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ and ‘The Most Important Place In The World’ are both good illustrations of the versatility of Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat. But new E.P. ‘DILF_77 Would Like To Chat’ (out now on Chemikal Underground) manages to take the duo into new territory.

Aidan’s claim that the tunes were “far too cheerful to go on the albums” hints strongly that the E.P. is something different but perhaps that won’t prepare you for everything on the record.

Take the title track for example. It’s nothing less than their paean to disco complete with a gorgeous horn part. Its witty lyrics describe not only with a mature night on the pull but at the same time pay tribute to (presumably) some of Aidan’s favourite disco classics.

In contrast, ‘Fuck The Sun’ is a lullaby to his baby daughter (of course it is!) which not only covers the here and now of looking after a bairn but also anticipates what it will be like to be the father of a teenage daughter in years to come.

‘Danse Profane’ returns matters to a jauntier mood as this gem of a pop tune details the giddiness of a morning after (possibly even after the night in ‘DILF_77’) when everything is right in Aidan’s world. Think ‘Singing In The Rain’ and you’ll be pretty much on the money.

‘Back To You’ is scratchy recording which sounds like it could have done by a jazz quartet from the 1930s and this atmosphere lends a tale of a drunken late night return home a certain degree of authenticity.

To close the record ‘Oh Sing A Happy Song!’ is a piano ballad which, in documenting Aidan’s difficulties in writing a happy song, lyrically strays into former bandmate Malcom Middleton’s territory. And features whistling!

All things considered ‘DILF_77 Would Like To Chat’ is a giddy musical delight packed with memorable lyrics from the impressively creative duo.

The limited edition CD out now on Chemical Underground contains all 5 tracks including an exclusive extended mix of the lead track. The CD is available only at gigs and independent record shops. The download version of the E.P. contains just the four tracks omitting ‘Oh Sing A Happy Song!’

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Mike Melville

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