Social Vertigo

3 Daft Monkeys

Deeming music ‘playful’, or even more perilous ‘fun’, is a journalistic nightmare. It immediately discredits any form of musical integrity. But with 3 Daft Monkeys, there’s no other way. The music is fun: better, it’s celebratory, carnival. And Social Vertigo, the band’s latest offering, has the ability to protest and party. Opening with self-explanatory ‘Paranoid Big Brother’, strong messages are conveyed through mischievous fiddle riffs.

And no wonder 3 Daft Monkeys are such a popular festival band – with the ability to nod to many different cultures, artistic heritages and genres, they’re a pretty inclusive choice. Social Vertigo demonstrates this in a highly polished fashion. ‘Eyes of Gaia’ strays from dub breakdowns to Greek plate smashing. Album highlight ‘Human Nature’ begins with a fiddle meander that somehow invokes the middle east and eastern Europe, launching in to a frenzied, cavorting, riotous affair. There’s room for traditionally structured songs, too: ‘One Fine Day’ is pared down Levellers, with defiant lyrics and English folk inspired fiddle that wallows in its own world. It’s not all happy-go-lucky though, as the title track is a sinister Victorian circus, complete with monkey screeches and audience laughter.

The musicianship – the virtuosity, the songcraft, the arrangement – is simply astonishing. With the employment of so many varied sounds, Social Vertigo could be a cacophonous racket. However, it is accomplished and dynamic, with the capability to accentuate something new and curious on each listen.

Sophie Parkes