Single Review: Wonders of the Yukon - Rachel (And All The Goofs And The Stars)

Yorkshire duo Andy Campbell and Dave Langdale - aka Wonders of the Yukon - dropped single ‘Rachel (And All The Goofs And The Stars)’ on 26th March.

The lyrics in ‘Rachel’ are out-of-this-world - literally. There’s a space exploration theme throughout, suggesting this desired ‘Rachel’ is very far from our grasp - but we are on our way. The song describes the band being in line for a music festival like no other: ‘I’m on my way to Rachel / And they’re forming a queue / It’s a festival of crazy / Searching for truth’. 

And the song’s intro has a distinctly sci-fi humour to it - it literally sounds like a spaceship is landing on a foreign planet. Then the guitar and vocals begin and we are right there in the psychedelic festival queue alongside them.

The song comes after Wonders of the Yukon’s ‘Songs of Mild Peril’ series, which has been described as ‘songs about the world and the human condition from the comfort and terror of midlife’. Perhaps that is what makes the duo so likeable. We know we are in good hands as the pair comment on the perils, and wonders, of being a bit longer in the tooth. On their Facebook page they describe their sound as ‘Indie for grown-ups’. 

And it is worth mentioning the striking artwork that accompanies each of Wonders of the Yukon’s songs, most of which adopt a striking black and red motif. ‘Rachel’ is no different and follows on nicely from ‘Cartoon Dreams’ and ‘Every Once in a While’. 

What Wonders of the Yukon have produced with ‘Rachel’ is yet another accomplished single blending influences from Northern English indie and sultry, folky Americana. 

Words: Bethany Lodge