So I've never actually listened to Ethel despite loving everything about her that I've seen/heard, and she was always on my "I gotta go through her stuff" list. So this is perfect for me to jump into it seems, no prior expectations! Decided to start with Punish for now. I really liked that! If that general vibe, even if it's more instrumental, is similar on the full project I think I'll like it!
As others have stated this is VERY drone heavy. Basically any track that's longer than 10 minutes I know I'll never listen to again. The big exception of course is Amber Waves which might be in my top 3 songs of hers after one listen. The few "actual songs" that we get on this are fantastic though and almost make all the unsettling/dark ambient stuff worth it.
This definitely isn't anywhere near what I'd hoped for and it's not the sort of thing I'd ever return to again if I didn't already love her music so much. That said, I do like it and I'll try and listen at least a few more times in full to see if I can learn to appreciate the more drone/ambient tracks more. The few actual songs here are fantastic as expected though and Punish hits even harder in context.
Well the title track could certainly be background noise at like a halloween party. I don't mean that negatively, but yeah I don't know how often I would return to something like that.
Friend sent this to me just telling me to listen. They're a big Kristin Hayter-head so I trust them. This is great.
I listened yesterday at work and then again last night while I made banana bread. So I still haven’t heard it in an optimal setting. My impressions are lukewarm-positive; the first track is a bit too dull but the rest ranges from pretty good to great. That said, it was the best banana bread I have ever made, so clearly this album has some kind of magic.
Gonna dive in in a minute, doubt it'll really be for me, but hoping to find some moments I enjoy throughout. Maybe will be good as a background noise at work album
I'll say that even compared to SAVED! this is very abstract and droney but yeah the emotions that it evokes in me remind me of that album a ton The criticisms people have and are going to have are very valid and understandable, but I love it
Okay I do still love this but I do feel like it's too long for what it is But that's fine it's not like this is a "blast this once a day" album or anything
part of me wants to spin this today, but i haven't been having a great day so far, so i'm not sure how much worse this would make things
Getting a little further into this and some of it reminds me of Tunnel Blanket by This Will Destroy You - which is also an album I cannot simply throw on and enjoy any old day. Definitely have to be in the right headspace for it but when it hits, it really hits.
Truly enjoyed Vacillator and Onanist. Will happily return to those two tracks and I echo what was said earlier about Punish really shining a bit brighter in album context.