GoGo Penguin‘s compositions often have an astronomical theme. I was drawn into their orbit in 2018 when they released their album, A Humdrum Star, and I’ve been floating around them ever since. When they chose to call one of their latest tracks Luminous Giants, they were almost certainly thinking of a type of red giant star, not a glowing, blue over-size octopus.

Luminous Giants is from GGP’s latest album, Necessary Fictions, which came out just last month. This new release continues to shine with a dazzling brilliance, but the colours are subtly changing. On one track, over the usual foundation of acoustic piano, double bass and drums, we hear the soft, fragile voice of the Nottingham folk singer, Daudi Matsiko. Two other tracks feature the violin of Rakhi Singh and the strings of her Manchester Collective. There are occasional cosmic electronic effects, too.

Those luminous giants sit towards the back of the album, relaxed and bathed in the sweet sounds of the Manchester Collective string ensemble and heavenly voices. Their tune is a little slower than the typical GGP composition, as if they have all the time in the universe – more than enough time to enjoy the never-ending music of the spheres. Let’s join them. It’s much nicer than being cuddled by that scary octopus!