- By Fred Spanner
Doves: “Constellations For The Lonely” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An absolute masterclass in songwriting.
Right then, lads, strap in. The Manchester legends are back, and “Constellations for the Lonely” isn’t just good, it’s their best yet. Bold claim? Maybe. But after Loaded crowned “Renegade” as our single of the year in 2024, we had a sneaky feeling they were gearing up for something special. And here it is, an album that absolutely soars.
This isn’t just another band cashing in on nostalgia. The road to this record has been anything but smooth, with all three members battling their own demons to bring us something raw, real, and moving. And it shows.
“Renegade” kicks things off with Jimi Goodwin’s unmistakable vocals hitting you right in the gut, while Jez Williams takes the reins on the hauntingly gorgeous “Cold Dreaming.” “In The Butterfly House” hypnotises, “Last Year’s Man” tips its hat to The Smiths, and “A Drop In The Ocean” is peak Doves; meandering, unexpected, but lands bang on target. Then there’s “Saint Teresa,” a dark, twisted tale of an exhumed nun (yep, you read that right), and “Southern Belle,” a track dripping in melancholy yet somehow still uplifting. That’s Doves for you.
Sadly, Goodwin won’t be joining the band on tour, struggling with his own battles, but that just makes this album even more of a triumph. Against all odds, they’ve not just made a record, they’ve made a masterpiece.
And yeah, they swerved my offer of an interview. But I’ll let them off. This album says everything that needs to be said.
Stand-out tracks: “Last Year’s Man”, “Renegade ”.
