Having known of, but heard little from, producer Ken McHugh’s band project, it’s striking how seeped in 70s and 80s pop music the wonderful Autamata are. Whilst by no means retro or throwback, McHugh has taken the golden age of experimental pop music and infused it with cross-genre elements to create a collection of vital modern pop songs, each with their own particular mood and distinctive qualities.
It’s fitting, then, that tonight each of his short stories are set apart by their own distinctive and stunning visuals. Created by animation maestro’s ‘D.A.D.D.Y’, these visuals bring an other worldly quality to the dashes of funk, punk, rock and electronica cut-up on stage. Often, the group take a back seat to what’s unfolding on screen, particularly on the underwhelming ‘Jelly Man’, its twee lyrics and childish pop only tolerable by virtue of what’s being fed into the eyes rather than the ears.
This is a one off though, and for the most part tracks like the funky ‘Goldilocks’ and the intense ‘Bring It On’ are engaging and of commendable variety. You’re never quite sure in what direction you’ll next be taken next, a rarity when watching a live act. In that regard, Autamata expertly fuse the best elements of a live band experience with the unpredictability of a club night.
Throughout, McHugh himself sits out of the spotlight, allowing vocalists Sarah Verdon and Carol Keogh to firmly hold court centre stage. Keogh in particular fuses the pop-tastic sentiments of the exquisite ‘I Spy’ and the chart pop of ‘The Tap’ with her Cyndi Lauper-meets-Kate Bush squeaky, yet deceptively powerful, vocals.
Over the set, there’s a host of memorable moments. ‘Dirty Bird’, ‘Crazy’ and ‘A Clear View’ all deserve mention. However, it’s the closer and forthcoming single ‘Liberty Bell’ which stands out from the pack. With a simplistic catch-all chorus, it’s an outstanding pop song encompassing all that is great about Autamata. Live, it positively shines and, if radio picks up on it, it may not be long before McHugh’s work as a producer takes a back seat to his band project.