These New Puritans, Hidden

By Stuart Myerburg

Imagine Philip Glass recording a symphony with Nitzer Ebb, Nine Inch Nails, and Depeche Mode and you have some idea of the singularly daring sound created by These New Puritans on their second album, Hidden.

Frontman and principal songwriter Jack Barnett dubs it a “hybrid,” which is a perfect description of the aggressive, synth-based songs his band couples with classical strings and woodwinds.

Standout tracks “We Want War,” “Three Thousand,” and “Attack Music” are vaguely sinister, reveling in an ominous beauty that is tempered by gentle horns, woodwinds, or a children’s choir. Quieter pieces frame the album and occasionally interrupt the proceedings, either as short instrumental interludes or changes in tempo within constantly shifting songs. Thus, a seemingly straightforward industrial groove in “Orion” is suddenly interrupted by a stately horn-accompanied choir and piano solo. Throughout Hidden, simple orchestral motifs, sword swipes, and drum patterns repeat, creating a song cycle rather than a traditional album. The result is an ambitious, audacious, and wholly original piece of art.

These New Puritans may have borrowed elements from the past, but they have assembled them into what could be the sound of the future.

Hidden was released on March 2 through Domino. These New Puritans are currently touring the UK and Europe through the end of April. To hear tracks from Hidden, check out the band’s Official Site or MySpace page.