In the world of indie rock, Alt-J are ubiquitous. Their songs captivate us and voices and melodies have an almost hypnotic quality. They are unlike any other indie band I've heard, and having that musical 'signature' is something I've always admired. Thus came the inspiration for this post.
The Albums
Alt-J have two albums released to date, and a third one coming in the summer (Relaxer, released June 2, 2017).
Their second album ('This Is All Yours') focuses on harmonies and sweet melodies. It makes multiple references to 'Nara', which is a city in Japan. This connection with Japan is echoed in the band's unique and slightly Eastern sound. This album is filled with beautiful and soothing songs. 'Warm Foothills', a favourite of mine, is absolute bliss. The song describes a woman whose beauty the singer admires, albeit in the traditional indirect fashion.
I've made a list and checked it twice, so here's my top picks (in order) for Alt-J:
The Albums
Alt-J have two albums released to date, and a third one coming in the summer (Relaxer, released June 2, 2017).
An Awesome Wave (2012)
( Photo from https://genius.com )
Their first album (released in 2012) gives a submerged feel, with some tasty percussion and an introduction to the peculiar vocals of Joe Newman. It features the classic 'Breezeblocks', probably their most well known track. The lyrics of this song have always intrigued me. Here's a snippet:
"She may contain the urge to run away but I hold her down with soggy clothes and breezeblocks. Cetirizine, your fever's gripped me again. Never kisses, all you ever send are fullstops (la la la la)".
There is a real sense of poeticism and personality in the lyrics of this album. Even the themes/topics are approached in fresh new ways - the experience of listening to 'An Awesome Wave' is eye opening.
Not many know about the origin of the album's name, or the reasons behind it. 'An awesome wave' relates to the experience of adrenaline rushing through the body. The inspiration for this was a incident in which the lead singer Joe was beaten up in Southampton Common. This is made reference too primarily in the song 'Bloodflood' - my personal favourite from the album.
"C-O-double
M-O-N
A
wave, an awesome wave
That
rushes skin and widens in blooded veins
Breath
in, exhale"
The incident is also made reference to in the song 'Fitzpleasure'.
"Dead
in the middle of the C-O-double M-O-N"
This Is All Yours (2014)
( photo from https://genius.com
Relaxer (2017)
So far, Alt-J have released two songs from their new album 'Relaxer' - namely, '3ww' and 'In Cold Water'. If these two songs are anything to go by we're in for a real treat with this next album.
(photo from https://genius.com)
- The use of synth on the song 'In Cold Blood' gives the song a 1980's/early 1990's video game feel. The band aengages interesting themes, like the use of binary mathemathics and the music video consist of retro flashing images (like a computer or television that's been broken).
- The initial release of '3ww' was accompanied by a video (below) made entirely from footage of the fabled 'LSD dream emulator', a game for the Playstation 1 released only in Japan. The official music video is vague and mysterious, and plays out like a silent film (with most of the song being an instrumental).
00110011 01110111 01110111Posted by alt-J on Friday, 3 March 2017
I've made a list and checked it twice, so here's my top picks (in order) for Alt-J:
1. 3ww *New release
2. Warm foothills
3. Bloodflood
4. Interlude 3
5. Breezeblocks
6. Dissolve Me
7. Fitzpleasure
8. Matilda
9. Taro
10. Every Other Freckle
Spotify Playlist
Best Album (so far): 'An Awesome Wave'
Best Music Video: '3ww'
Until next time,
All pictures used are merely decorative and belong to their respective owners
