The Magnetic Fields released their 10th full-length album, Love at the Bottom of the Sea, in early 2012 and the first single from the album, Andrew in Drag, was released in advance as a good sign of things to come. In all fairness, it doesn’t take much to see that tongue-in-cheek is a main feature of the single, but that doesn’t take anything away from it overall impact.
Andrew in Drag has a catchy chorus that is an instant crammed and sweaty indie dance floor chant-along. Strumming acoustic guitar props it up with puddled synthesiser notes and the shake of a tambourine.
However, it’s the droning, sing-song vocals of the verse that really bring the song to live, telling the lovelorn story of a smitten, drag-queen loving cat with a penchant for a dude called Andy, despite his lack of interest in dresses and lingerie. The Ukulele rhythm gives it a beachy quality and the synth blips continue the waterside musical feel of the song.
You can make your own mind up and listen to the single with the video below. Make sure you let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Witty, clever and catchy, Andrew in Drag is a good prelude to the full release of The Magnetic Fields’ Love at the Bottom of the Oceon. Released on the Domino Records on Monday the 27th of February, Andrew in Drag is a dead cert for alt-pop toe tapping fuzzy tingle times.
The band is made up of Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson, Darrell Thorne and Stormy Leather according to the video, although their Wikipedia page would have you believe its Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson, Sam Davol, John Woo and Shirley Simms, so who knows really.
The Magnetic Fields, Andrew in Drag review: 4/5
For more information about Love at the Bottom of the Ocean, read our review at https://www.tuppencemagazine.co.uk/the-magnetic-fields-love-at-the-bottom-of-the-sea/.
