Absolutely blown away! The production on the vocals and all of the sounds is outstanding! Listened to it 3 times already, love it so much so far! I agree that really is a headphones album, it's got some surprises and some notes feel like having a different shape on ear hahh. Also, besides this being an extension of the Ixora sound, I got some vibes which would remind me of something, but I'm not sure of what - anybody got some specific impressions? I can hear some Rhye on the softer ones or Polyenso (especially on As Above, So Alone), and of course stuff like Frank Ocean, which might be farfetched as I'm not so far with this kind of music.
anyone else having trouble getting their download from Benchmark to work? i'm just getting a ZIP file with the album art, and while i wanna buy it in 24 bit FLAC if this isn't, the only places that's currently available are Western European countries via Qobuz (i assume the US will get it tonight? idk), so this is what i'm trying to rely on in the meantime. i could stream it, but i'd rather buy it.
honestly my first impression of this album was "if Justin Vernon fucked around with brass and strings instead of vocal effects when he was making 22 A Million" it's silly and way off but I can't think of anything else to compare this to at all
Oh yes! This is not silly at all, 22 A Million (and some Big Red Machine as well) is exactly what I had in the back of my mind among some others, thanks hah!
I am tired of hearing 22, A Million brought up to describe every album but dammit if that comparison won't rope me in 100 percent of the time
Just finished my first listen and I really love it. Can't wait to listen again. Copeland has indeed come very far since BMT. Threw on Testing the Strong Ones right after the album ended just for comparison's sake and, I gotta say, the old shit still bangs. Whoever made the How To Dress Well comparison, I see you lolz. Definitely hearing some of the "What is This Heart?" sound in here, as well as some of Rhye (and/or the singer's solo act Milosh) and Polyenso. If I can add to the list, I suggest y'all check out the albums Community by FAVELA, and Romaplasm by Baths.
Actually never heard such comparisons often enough ;D but this album does have a tendency to be a strong influence with lots of fresh ideas. Thanks, I'll check both of these albums out right away! As of now I'm listening to "What Is This Heart" indeed ;d Care was the first album I had heard by HTDW. I did the same thing today - played some of the older material off of In Motion right after the new one, and it felt strange, but it still is so good!
Also @Horrorca brought it up the other day, but Washed Out's early stuff reflects that dreamy chillwave sound that I feel strongly in Night Figures and some of the other more beat-oriented parts of the record
I really need to give this the "sit down and stare out the window at the snow while listening with good headphones" treatment
Another rec that just came to mind is arrange. It's way more dark and focused on ambience, but is a total delight on good headphones. I truly truly miss this project. One of my favorite albums of all-time, I think.