STACK #169 Nov 2018

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Michael Buble <3 (love) Bublads and Bublettes will find much to croon about here. Beyond its distinctly Millennial title (pronounced 'love', presented as a heart emoji) lie unaging songs of heart-wrenching optimism, earmarking Buble as newly invested in the intricacies of human lives at a time when everything feels just a little too macro. There’s something ultimately comforting in new songs sung in an old fashion, with Buble returning to classic anchors (romance, family, stress) to find his place in the world. Which isn’t the same as being old-fashioned; <3 could bring a little warmth into any heart. (Warner) Jake Cleland

J Mascis Elastic Days J Mascis, best known for leading the era-defining Dinosaur Jr, once again delves into his softer side on his seventh solo album. There’s a warmth to Mascis solo that is often obscured on Dinosaur Jr releases, his vocals tender and lyrical content frank. With no song going over four minutes, each track is expertly executed by Mascis and a cast of guests including Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession) and Zoë Randell (Luluc). Driven by acoustic arrangements, bursts of Mascis’ signature electric guitar bring songs to epic conclusions, while the added keys on tracks Give It Off and Drop Me offer a more rounded sound. Elastic Days is unmistakably J Mascis, and is proof of his versatility and enduring legacy. (Sub Pop) Holly Pereira Thom Yorke Suspiria OST Radiohead’s ThomYorke takes a turn for the positively terrifying with his soundtrack to Luca Guadagnino’s new horror Suspiria , his first film score. Ominous, enthralling and uniquely Yorke, the album’s 25 tracks are a perfect accompaniment to the dramatic (and at times gruesome) events of the film. Yorke’s songwriting strength rings through; Open Again and Unmade are two tracks that will impress even without the context of the film, his unmistakable vocal permeating the moodiness of each. While there are moments of lightness and ambience, overall this collection is arguably Yorke’s darkest work to date, and a culmination of decades as one of the most respected and admired musicians in the world. (XL/Remote Control) Holly Pereira

Various The Rick And Morty Soundtrack

To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to listen to The Rick And Morty Soundtrack . The melodies are extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of their references to the show, most of the impact will go over a typical listener’s head. There’s also the

album’s nihilistic outlook, which is deftly woven into its comedy – its personal philosophy draws heavily from series creator Justin Roiland’s irreverent but bleak humour, for instance. The fans understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the variety of these tracks, to realise that they’re not just funny – they say something deep about MUSIC. Adult Swim have always had a tight ‘ship with the music industry, so it’s no surprise that alongside Roiland’s raps about hating the flu and Dan Harmon singing about doo-doo in your butt, this record is a genuinely affecting complement to the show itself. (Sub Pop) Jake Cleland

Psycroptic As The Kingdom Drowns One of the greatest achievements any band could accomplish is a signature sound – a style so unique, even a snippet of new material is immediately recognisable. Psycroptic is one of these bands. Their seventh studio album As The Kingdom Drowns continues to push their sound forward, without losing touch with their roots. The virtuosity remains intact, as is the dizzying ability to make the most complex of arrangements appear effortless. But as has always been the case, Psycroptic continue to focus on songwriting and hooks. It’s this understanding of their craft that separates them from their peers,

Architects Holy Hell It would have been easy for Brighton metalcore heroes

Black Majesty Children Of The Abyss Black Majesty are without doubt the hardest working power metal band in the country. With six studio albums since their formation in 2001, 2018 not only sees the release of The 10 Years Royal Collection compilation, but a new studio album in the shape of Children Of The Abyss . The band remains true to their sound, so blazing solos, pounding riffs, and soaring vocals abound, making Children Of The Abyss a somewhat familiar experience – but never is it dull. While bands such as Helloween, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden remain firm leaders of the genre, Black Majesty have done a remarkable job at not only paying tribute to their influences, but also becoming an influence themselves. (Pride and Joy) Simon Lukic

Architects to make a dejected and desolate eighth album following the passing of founding guitarist and songwriter Tom Searle in 2016. It would have been even easier to not write a new album at all. From the initial strings, opener Death Is Not Defeat is an emotional and confronting (but necessary) listen, and much like the rest of the songs that follow, the five-piece have built an album around healing. Doomsday , the last song Tom started writing before his death, is a humbling tribute; Dying To Heal is anthemic to say the least and the title sees Architects at their brutal best. Holy Hell is a light at the end of a long and dark tunnel, and a band doubling down on what they do best. (UNFD)Tim Lambert

and defines them as one of Australia’s greatest bands. (Prosthetic Records) Simon Lukic

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NOVEMBER 2018

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