Amsterdam, Netherlands-based acoustic folk act Subterranean Street Society first hit my radar at the end of October through their live performance of Fear of Fond Farewells. The track features on their new album Fado, which includes thirteen interludes and acoustic versions of their songs previously released on their album Saudade, creating a blissfully intimate journey.
By Graeme Smith
Subterranean Street Society is led by singer songwriter Louis Puggaard-Müller and the acoustic versions really put his voice and his words front and centre. Originally from Denmark, he was in The Netherlands experiencing a breakup and wondering about his future when he found, and lost, new love. There was only one solution – go to Portugal! It’s the emotional turbulence and impermeance of place that comes from these real-life events that inspire the songs of Fado.
Opening with atmospherically ambient interlude The Inglewood Whistle, we get the sense of travel and of Portugal right from the off. It leads into the acoustic version of One And A Half Men Tent where we get the first taste of Louis’s smooth and expressive vocals, and their strength in its big notes.
A Tree That Shed Her Summer Dress is the next short, folksy interlude which is thematically accompanied by Leaves Are Falling In The Summer. Also folksy, there is a sense of bluesy melancholy about its storytelling lyrics. More Than A Number leads into It’s Me Babe. Inspired by Bob Dylan, it’s a play on his famous track It Ain’t Me Babe. Written in an effort to win back his second lover, it’s a darkly romantic centrepiece for the album.
Bairro Alto Blues celebrates the Lisbon neighbourhood of the same name before the lengthy, meditative Another Valentine takes over. Lyrically, it’s a heart-breaking and relatable masterpiece. The End Is Over leads into the aforementioned Fear of Fond Farewells which gives Another Valentine a run for its money in terms of lyrical genius.
The Devil and Daniel Johnstone pairs with Songwriter Syndrome before It Shouldn’t Be All About Him leads into the album’s journey’s final leg, Second Singing Teacher. It shows that through it all Louis has found some peace, led by a gentle piano melody and rich with wistful nostalgia.
As songwriters go, Louis is second to none, and this collection of acoustic versions works beautifully to showcase that. There’s a depth to the songs on this album that demand multiple relistens. I know I’ll certainly be coming back to this album time and again. I hope you’ll feel the same. You can give Fado a listen below.
