(Warp/Inertia)

Say it with me now, Veck-a-tim-est.

The wait for the follow-up to 2006’s Yellow House has been much too long. In the time that has passed since that album, the four-piece’s musical outlook has grown a little brighter, but they’ve retained their incredible arrangements and the stirring vocals of Daniel Rossen and Ed Droste. Rossen’s voice has a whispery, willowy timbre that floats around the other instruments. Droste’s is a rich, syrupy baritone that cuts through the middle. Kinetic opener Southern Point brings everything to the table; deft acoustic riffs, a big drum-powered chorus and lofty string arrangements. Two Weeks basks in a glorious retro-pop glow, a shimmering weave of harmonies and tinkling piano, with Droste’s voice a beacon pulsing through and warming the entire entity from the inside out. Cheerleader is strapped with a riff that seems unlike Grizzly Bear at first but quickly makes sense when it’s surrounded by duelling harmonies and subtle string flourishes. The album’s last two tracks are just as incredible as the first two. I Live With You begins with a surreal pastiche of flute and harp that sounds like a lost Disney film soundtrack, but grows into an immense storm of horns, strings and a girl’s choir. Closing track Foreground occupies the same kind of space as Colorado from Yellow House, sinking into a musical miasma until everything just disappears. Grizzly Bear have made no mistakes with this record. It’s rich, elegant and fulfilling, cementing Grizzly Bear as one of those rare, special bands that can always be relied upon to create wonderful music.

*****

MICHAEL PINCOTT

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*