I’ve been a long standing advocate of Public Service Broadcasting since the release of their mesmerizing debut album in 2013 and featured the single from their new album, “Gagarin,” in my profile in our March 2015 issue. Since then the duo have released details of their next single release in the shape of “The Other Side,” which will precede their UK tour in November.
The corduroy-clad J.Willgoose Esq. and Wrigglesworth are renowned for sampling old public information films, archive footage and propaganda material to fit around their own exciting instrumentation. Sophomore album The Race For Space focused rather expectedly on the US-Soviet space race – one of the most majestic periods in the history of mankind and a veritable smorgasbord of evocative film material. Lifted from that album, a shorter, single version of “The Other Side” will be released thanks mostly to fan feedback. Already taken from the album, “Gagarin” and “Go!” had an instant impact for their excitement.
However, it is the popularity of “The Other Side”, an ode to Apollo 8, which has surprised the band. Its palpable tension provides a stark reminder of how real the recordings are. Listeners will be transported to mission control in 1968 as the men on the ground fear the worst in deathly silence, unable to help. With it being real life, unfortunately there’s not always a happy ending. In this case, however, the track does end in uplifting fashion as contact is re-established after an agonizing wait.
Fresh off a tour with the Kaiser Chiefs and a headline tour around Europe, America and Australia, the duo will return to the UK in November:
17 Queens Hall, Edinburgh
18 University Refectory, Leeds
19 02 Academy, Liverpool
20 Rock City, Nottingham
21 OPEN, Norwich
26 Great Hall, Cardiff
27 Guildhall, Southampton
29 02 Academy Brixton, London
The shortened version of “The Other Side” will be joined by a handful of new remixes upon its release on August 28th.