After the success of 2009′s Pram Town, Hayman’s most critically acclaimed album post-Hefner (and rightly so), Darren and his Secondary Modern are back with the second of a proposed trilogy of albums: Essex Arms
Whereas Pram town dealt with the the displacement and ennui of living in a new town (Harlow) Essex Arms takes the narrative to the countryside. “The songs are about love in unloved places,” says Darren. “I wanted to sing about a lawless, hidden version of the countryside, but still treat the subject with tenderness and respect. I was trying to make innovative rock music without the use of electrically amplified instruments. I wanted oboes and harmoniums to take the place of synthesizers and samplers, to make something purely acoustic that wasn’t polite or ineffectual.”
Anyone who’s seen Darren Hayman live will know what he rubs shoulders with some pretty tidy London-based talent, so it comes as no surprise that the album features a guest spot or two from the likes of The Wave Pictures, Fanfarlo and even a duet with Emmy The Great on Calling Out Your Name.
Although the album doesn’t find its way on the shelves until October (on the ever-brilliant Fortuna Pop!) the first single from Essex Arms, Two Tree Island, is available for your listening pleasure now.
