A concept album about a Chilean poet and activist may seem like a hard sell, but in the hands of the Manic Street Preachers frontman, Victor Jara’s story comes alive with pulsating guitars and powerful melodies.
Jara was murdered by a Chilean army officer days after a coup in 1973 and opener Recuerda is a powerful call to remember him, before Boy from the Plantation gets into his early years, recalling a bright child “they could not repress”.
Bradfield’s third solo release owes its existence to another artist too, as poet Patrick Jones penned the lyrics. “Can you see it in the eyes of those that dream it?” Bradfield asks on There’ll Come a War, contemplating a forthcoming battle before a wave of guitars and piano takes over.
Even in Exile bears the roaring Manics sound but Jara is also present in the music, as Spanish-style guitars ring out. The instrumentals are where Bradfield comes into his own; Under the Mimosa Tree tees up a sublime rendition of Jara’s own work, La Partida. Bradfield has also released a podcast about Jara’s life.
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