The Evils Have Not Escaped
Lower Dens: Escape From Evil
8.9/10
Lower Dens are one of those groups I often forget about. Their last effort Nootropics was a very riveting record to me, but in the 3 years seperation between that record and this record, they kind of drifted off my radar. This is not the bands fault, I just kind of forgot about how brilliant their work is, so when I heard the first single off this new record To Die In L.A I was giddy! Nootropics was one of my best discoveries in recent years, so I was pretty eager to see what this record was going to sound like. Sure enough, this single marked a pretty noticeable change in instrumentation. They traded a lot of their full-band instrumentation for a more "synth-poppy" groove oriented sound. This move actually pays off nicely because deep down the band's character has not changed that much. The synths are used more as a timbre change that a stylistic change. Anyways, this song excited me because it was dreamy, mystical, and yet still powerful. It is everything I look for in Lower Dens. This single was a pretty good indicator of what we were going to get on this album. The sound is very simplistic, but yet still very haunting. The atmospheres on here are great just like on Nootropics. The opener, Sucker's Shangri-La, is perhaps the most wandering song on this thing. For this reason it actually may be the worst song on the album. The song establishes a sound very early on, but really fails to do much with it. Ondine, however, is an amazing response to a lackluster opener. This track is dense and dark. This track has a pretty basic synth pattern with simplistic drums, but the presence Jana Hunter shows on this thing is just intense. The track is pretty gritty and overall very well put together. Quo Vadis is perhaps the most hypnotizing track on the album. This album has a great hook, and it draws me in for the whole time. Other major highlights include Electric Current, I am The World, and Societe Anonyme. This tracks all are a little more reminiscent of the fuller instrumentation on Nootropics, but they also have their own little electronic twang on them. I am The World is just an epic song, simply put. The track feels substantial, and it really feels like the listener is being placed into Hunter's head. The album's closing track also is astounding, and it feels much more finite than the closer to Nootropics (In The End is the Beginning).
Overall this album is awesome! Lower Dens will definitely be in my listening rotation again, and for that reason alone I appreciate this album. This album is really cool and unique and I'd heavily recommend it to any fan of mystical/dream pop indie music. Beach House fans will really enjoy this album most likely. I think it sounds a lot like their album Teen Dream, but to me the sounds may not be as refined. In the end, Lower Dens created another solid piece of music that perhaps may not be as strong as its predecessor, but it can still stand on its own two feet.
Best Songs: Ondine, To Live in L.A, I am The World, Societe Anonyme, Quo Vadis
Skips: Sucker's Shangri-La, Your Heart Still Beating
It's Easy To Sit
Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit
7/10
Courtney Barnett is kind of indescribable in a sense. I cannot really think of anybody with the charisma and attitude of Barnett in music today. She is funny, confident, and really charming. Her music is at best when this side of her is on full display. This album features some great jams that really showcase her big personality. However, I feel that sometimes Courtney's talents, which are certainly big, can be sadly overshadowed by her basic songs.While these instrumentals are not bad, I have heard them so many times before. They are pretty retro garage rock feely and let's be honest, we've all heard that so many times. While there are some really great tracks on here, I feel like Barnett could really create something special if she made something that is more "her". It is pretty similar to the way I felt about Parquet Courts, but they have been getting better with every release for me. Courtney Barnett is not by any means a bad artist, in fact she's really quite good, but I really don't think this project showcases her full potential.
In the end, I still got 5-6 good tracks from this album, so I won't necessarily pan it, but I think she can do a lot better. While Courtney Barnett is a witty, unique person, the sounds on this album don't feel representative of that. I think she will eventually grow into her sound, so I'm expecting next time she'll do a lot more thinking, and a lot less sitting.
Best Songs: Elevator Operator, Pedestrian At Best, Aqua Profunda, Debbie Downer, Small Poppies
Worst Songs: Depreston, Dead Fox, Illustration of Loneliness, Boxing Day Blues
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