-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Ambient * Ethereal *
Artist..: Elvis Depressedly
Album...: New Alhambra
GENRE....: Indie
STYLE....: Indie Pop, Lo-Fi, Pop, Folk
LABEL....: Run For Cover SCENE.....: 2015-07-03
BITRATE..: 765 kbps avg STORE.....: 2015-00-00
ENCODER..: FLAC 1.2.1 -8 -V TRACKS....: 9
SIZE.....: 109.9MB SOURCE....: CD
URL..: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Depressedly
- TRACKLIST
1 Thou Shall Not Murder 2:15
2 N.M.S.S. 2:46
3 New Alhambra 3:35
4 Bruises (Amethyst) 2:07
5 Rock 'N' Roll 1:56
6 Big Break 2:02
7 Ease 1:51
8 New Heaven, New Earth 2:12
9 Wastes Of Time 1:29
Total Playtime: 20:13
Making a record that could supersede the unexpected success of 2013Æs
independently-released mini album Holo Pleasures probably wouldÆve been
maddeningly difficult if Elvis Depressedly hadnÆt adjusted their downtrodden
demeanor. The result of their efforts is New Alhambra, a record that Mat
Cothran and Delaney Mills wrote while living in a friendÆs sunroom, the light
trickling in and warming all of the little rotting bits of upset easily found
in their earlier work. At times, New Alhambra sounds downright uplifting, as
CothranÆs mortal concerns spiral the drain before disappearing completely.
His characters defy god (ôThou Shall Not Murderô), they ask for forgiveness
(ôEaseö), they imagine a world without pain (ôNo More Sad Songsô). In many
ways, New Alhambra is an album about growing up, about recognizing that this
existence is uncertain, that some mistakes cannot be unmade, and giving all
of the vulnerabilities that come with being human space to breathe. Despite
being the closing track, ôWastes Of Timeö is New AlhambraÆs centerpiece,
Cothran and MillsÆ thesis. ôItÆs a sad world, we were raised in/ Let it fade
in, to something new/ If you try, I will try/ If we fuck up, itÆs alright/
ThereÆs so much more to life/ Than all these wastes of time.ö ItÆs a last
call of sorts, an effort to to deny petty bullshit any brain-space to stew
in, and get the most out of your limited time in this life. The closing song
sounds like a close friend shrugging and saying, ôFuck it all,ö in response
to your endless complaints and worldly upsets, before buying another round.
In a minute in a half, ôWastes Of Timeö further illuminates all of the
moments of overwhelming positivity to be found throughout New Alhambra, the
light at the end of a dark and dreary, echoing tunnel. It embodies the
reasons why, in spite of it all, we keep going.
*
Mat Cothran began Elvis Depressedly as a side project, complementing his work
under the Coma Cinema moniker. However, over the past few years, it would
seem as though the side project has become the main one, at least in terms of
attention. Since 2011, we've had six Elvis Depressedly releases, with songs
like 'pepsi/coke suicide' from 2013's Holo Pleasures and 'jesus rots inside
his grave' from 2011's Goner standing as highlights among a vast array of
gloomy lo-fi pop triumphs. They subverted preconceived notions of what pop
songs were supposed to be about (the latter, like many of the songs from this
South Carolina-native, uses religious imagery while putting forth a
rhetorical inquiry, somewhat jokingly, as to whether or not premarital sex
will ruin this generation's chances at a good afterlife). Now, having signed
with the acclaimed Run For Cover Records, Cothran and his cohort Delaney
Mills have attempted to keep the success pushing forward on their seventh
release, and first true full-length, New Alhambra.
Cothran has always had a penchant for humour that drips with bitter cynicism,
so when the first track from New Alhambra was released, a song entitled
'n.m.s.s.,' it was hard not to stifle a hearty chuckle when this "sad band"
front man started off by whispering, "No more sad songs." But this
proclamation is, by and large, true. The melancholic self-loathing of records
past is gone. Instead, this album represents a shift from pessimistic
frustration to vulnerable optimism. There is a certain fragility to Cothran's
warm, nasally voice as he asserts that he has loved "everyone that [he] has
ever known." It's this vocal delicacy, coupled with the intimacy of the
instrumentation, that allows Cothran to convey a tremendous range of emotion.
The lo-fi aesthetic that defined the sonics of previous Elvis Depressedly
releases has been mostly wiped away. Cothran and Mills have clearly laboured
to create a cleaner, more polished record that adequately reflects the
thematic shift they have made. While I must admit that I missed some of the
fuzzier keyboard parts from past releases, Mills' abilities have been given
the space to recognize their full potential. Likewise, Cothran's unique
vocals and guitar parts feel as though they are enjoying the atmospheric
space of a Joy Division record rather than the cramped environment of his
living room.
The numerous themes of New Alhambra, most of which are focused on joy and
optimism, are offset by more depressing imagery and ideas. Using religion and
wrestling, specifically the murder-suicide of Chris Benoit (referenced on
tracks such as 'thou shall not murder'), as parallel guides to his new found
direction, Cothran is able to display a level of complexity to his music that
will allow it to continue to appeal to his core audience of weary youngsters.
New Alhambra is a high mark for Elvis Depressedly. The record's ability to be
simultaneously dense and accessible, joyful and thoughtful, inspiring and
cautionary, allows it to make a case for being an essential record for anyone
in their twenties. Cothran has clearly reflected and assessed himself and
life around him thoroughly, making his voice and his music a strong point of
reference for any young person looking for direction in this messed up world.
-=- SHGZ -=-
P.S.
** Thanks ***
*** BCC FNT IPC SSR ***
*** For Knowing Where The Music Is At ***
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* NuHS we miss you! *
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