Constellations for the Lonely

Released

When Doves formed from the ashes of dance outfit Sub Sub after their studio burned down with all their equipment and recordings inside, they set a precedent of triumphing in the face of adversity. Yet the band’s sixth album came with more than its fair share of issues to overcome, as frontman Jimi Goodwin’s ongoing mental health and addiction struggles meant time together in the studio had to be snatched where they could. Not that you’d think it listening to Constellations for the Lonely. Soaring from the sci-fi visions of Blade Runner-inspired opener “Renegades” to “Last Year’s Man”’s poignant, Smith-referencing reflections on parenthood, and the bombastic, almost Queen-like showdown of closer “Southern Bell,” it might actually be one of the trio’s finest records yet.

Chris Catchpole

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