‘There’s a feeling of impending doom, but is it age, or is it real?’ | Doves interviewed

From Manchester’s future to the dark side of pop music, Jez Williams discusses Doves’ new direction, tackling themes of escapism and empathy on Constellations for the Lonely.

by Harvey Solomon-Brady |

Doves have always been a band that exists between worlds: between eras, between sounds, and between states of mind.

Their new album Constellations for the Lonely feels no different, as it steps into the territory of dystopian visions, emotional yearning, and isolation.

But as Jez Williams, one half of Doves’ songwriting duo, puts it, is this darkness something inevitable, a reflection of a world that’s always been like this, or is it just a sign of getting older?

“I don’t know if it’s just me getting older, or if the world’s getting worse,” Jez says, almost as if he’s talking himself through the question. “There’s this kind of impending anxiety out there, and it’s like when you hold your finger to the wind and take a temperature, it feels like there’s something there.”

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He pauses for a moment before continuing, still trying to make sense of it. “Is that just me getting older, or would someone who’s 18 or 20 say the same thing? I don’t know.”

For anyone who came of age in the 90s, it’s a familiar sentiment. That sense of a golden age, gone. And for Doves, it’s not just the cultural shifts that have shaped their music, but the personal ones too.

Jez reflects on how those shifts have influenced their creative process. “It feels like something’s shifted. Back in the 90s, it did feel like we were part of something. Culturally, musically, it felt like we were involved in something that was big. Now, it feels different. It feels darker. I feel things more intensely, more intensely than I ever did before.”

This shift isn’t just felt in the personal; it’s also been experienced in the wider cultural landscape, as Jez elaborates on the world around him. “It feels like there’s something in the air. It’s like the times have changed. People feel it. It’s more intense now. I don’t know what it is, but it feels like it’s more intense.”

For Doves, though, this sense of darkness isn’t just something they’re observing, it’s something they’re responding to. “It’s interesting, because when we started, it was more electronic. But we always thought it was quicker to put an emotion across with instruments,” Jez says. “So we ended up going back to our original instruments, but we still kept elements of our electronic past.”

As the conversation shifts, we talk about the broader cultural influence of music and how it’s changed since their formative years. “It feels like every generation thinks theirs was the most radical. I don’t know if it’s the same now,” Jez says. “But back in the 90s, it felt like a cultural movement, and it was all new. No one really knew about it until it went mainstream.”

“Yeah, it’s different now,” he continues, pointing to the internet’s influence. “Back then, you had to go out and find things. Even with illegal raves, you were just given a phone number. It wasn’t something that was immediately available. But now, everything’s accessible. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It’s just different.”

The topic of music’s evolution is something Jez finds fascinating. He talks about the shift in pop music, pointing to a noticeable change. “Pop music has gone darker,” he observes. “It’s strange how music mirrors what’s happening in the world.

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Jez and Andy Williams (Credit: Brian David Stevens)

“I wonder if that’s a natural evolution of the times. As the world has gotten darker, so has the music. It’s like, back then, you had this optimism, but now everything feels more aggressive, more sinister.”

And yet, despite the darker tone, Jez insists that the music still carries a sense of hope. “I think music should always reflect what’s going on. Even if you’re not consciously doing it, it’s something that happens naturally,” he says.

“And with this album, there’s a search for something better, something deeper. I think that’s important. It’s always about trying to find something, something that speaks to you.”

Jez and his bandmates have always looked to film as a source of creative influence. When asked about the filmic sound of the album, he explains, “We’ve always been obsessed with film music. And for this album, we wanted it to feel cinematic. We imagined Manchester in the future, like Blade Runner. It’s this idea of a city in the future. It’s a potent image.”

This cinematic influence is deeply embedded in Constellations for the Lonely, with themes of escapism and isolation running throughout the album. “It’s strange,” Jez says, “how something like a song or a film can take you out of your reality. When we were writing this album, it felt like we were escaping our own reality.”

The conversation takes a more personal turn when Jez talks about the significance of the album’s originally planned release date. “It’s a lonely time, isn’t it? Valentine’s Day,” he says. “If you’re not with someone, it can be pretty isolating. But I thought it was a nice idea to release the album then. It just felt right, like a gesture for those who might be feeling that loneliness. And maybe it’ll be a reminder of that for some people when they listen to it.”

As Doves prepare for the release of Constellations for the Lonely, the anticipation is palpable. For Jez, though, the album is more than just another release, it’s part of a long journey that’s still unfolding. “We’re always searching,” he says. “Always trying to find something. And even if we never find it, it doesn’t stop us from digging.”

Constellations for the Lonely will be available in multiple formats from today, 28th February 2025.

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