STACK #133 Nov 2016

NEWS

MUSIC

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I am not going to pretend it was easy staying mousey- quiet about what could be the most anticipated release of the year. In fact, I'll tell you it was straight up arduous, but let's not dwell on my travails and instead relish the fact Adele is back in our ears again where she belongs. We're also elated about Joanna Newsom (pictured) releasing her first album since she married actor Andy Samberg (!), City Calm Down have finally dropped their debut LP (look out for a pretty special feature we have lined up next month), and I interviewed dishy, self-described 'sad boy' Bill Ryder-Jones. Bon appetit. Zo ë Radas (Music Editor)

Joanna Newsom

On My Speakers

Jesse Davidson Lizard Boy EP

Yppah Tiny Pause

Floating Points Elaenia

Roots Manuva Bleeds

CITY CALM DOWN: JACK BOURKE

MUTEMATH M utemath have been underground darlings for a long time, with cultish fans who love the whip-cracking rock which displays the band’s technically immaculate roots at every turn. The last album from the New Orleans four-piece, 2011’s Odd Soul , was full of wheeling guitars, Hammond organs abruptly sucked into tight drumbeats, and vocalist Paul Meany letting his pipes vault and whisper around it all (perfect example: single Blood Pressure ). On new release Vitals , things take a distinctly electro turn; some old guitar- head devotees won't dig it but the truth is Mutemath were always perfectly poised to go alt-dance, with their impeccable timing, feel for samples and repetition, and penchant for the soulfully strange. Lead single Monument proves they can do it with panache, but we’re also loving the airy tick of Stratosphere , and the very Tame Impala feel of All I See .

or Jack Ladder. “I try and sing in a way that feels natural,” Bourke says. “There are a few songs on the album that probably push what I’m capable of, which was an exciting thing to do, but different voices just sound better in different ranges, and finding where that range is is a really important part of the process.” It’s possible that producer Malcolm Besley – who has worked with the band many times previously, most notably on their 2012 EP Movements – had something to do with that rhythm of push and repose. Bourke has previously described Besley as a “true believer”, and it seems his emotional support was valued as much as his musical feel and technical ability. “Malcolm reinvigorated the project, and I really see that as his main role: to reinvigorate the project right at the time it needs it, right when we might’ve lost our energy after writing… and then there’s enthusiasm again, because we can see that the songs are coming to life. No idea is off the table, but he also came to each song with a vision for what it could sound like,” says Bourke. He is confident they've plucked the strongest tracks from what was, initially, a huge cluster; the album roams beautifully between galloping drums, tender and tentative lyrics, all-out synth smashes, transcendent laments and even a sassy duet. The ones that didn’t make the cut aren’t necessarily dead pets (loved but not coming back), and could be returned to later, laughs Bourke: “In a world of infinite time we’d work on it all, but band practice generally goes for about six hours as it is."

W ith a lustily low singing voice such as Jack Bourke’s, you’re likely to get a few unwarranted comparisons from folks. “I remember playing a Battle Of The Bands when I was about 16 or 17, and we were judged very harshly,” he begins. “One of the reviewers made this backhanded compliment – I don’t know if it was a compliment, actually – it was something like, ‘The lead singer is clearly trying to sound like Ian Curtis.’ I was like, who the hell’s Ian Curtis? Looked him up, made my own assessment and decided the reviewer was full of sh-t.” Curtis is a worthy lodestar, but when you hear

the voice leading City Calm Down’s ethereal guitars and synths you’re more likely to invoke Kirin J Callinan

Vitals by Mutemath is out now through Remote Control.

In A Restless House by City Calm Down is out November 6 through I OH YOU/Mushroom.

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